Frida Karlsson after the dramatic Tour de Ski collapse: – I was scared

Karlsson had a lead of one minute and 12 seconds in the summary on Udnes Weng ahead of Sunday’s infamous finish up the slalom hill Alpe Cermis. As expected, it was a test of strength, where Karlsson was never close to giving up the entire lead.

The Swedish girl found it very difficult and had to settle for 15th place on the last stage. It was surprisingly won by French Delphine Claudel ahead of Heidi Weng. Third place went to Norwegian-American Sophia Laukli.

After the finish, Karlsson was left lying in the goal area. She had completely passed out and had to be helped by medical personnel. Eventually the winner was taken out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask.

When the top three were to receive their prizes, Karlsson was not present. The Swedish national anthem was played without the winner hearing it.

Some time after the finish, reassuring messages came from the Swedish camp that Karlsson was awake, talking to those around him and doing well.

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Unpleasant

A few hours after the finish line, the cross-country star herself put words to what happened.

– I got scared. I couldn’t feel my arms and legsthe 23-year-old told Expressen.

– I feel much better now. I don’t think I’ve ever driven off so tired in my entire life, she adds to Aftonbladet.

Eventually, Karlsson was able to leave the ski stadium in Val di Fiemme for his own machine. At the same time, coach Stefan Thomson emphasized the discomfort in the situation a little earlier.

– I saw that she was breathing, but she lost consciousness. She was probably gone for a minute, we didn’t make contact, he told Expressen.

– The doctors say that she is doing well, but she must rest now. She is completely done, he continued.

Criticized FIS

In the Viaplay studio, Martin Johnsrud Sundby and Vidar Løfshus directed criticism at the International Ski Federation, which chose to carry out the award ceremony despite Karlsson’s situation. The session had an amputated feel, with only Udnes Weng and Niskanen in place.

Before the start, it was also a little dramatic for Tour winner Karlsson. The 23-year-old couldn’t find his letters.

– When we got to the bus, the competition poles were gone. But we fixed new and fresh spells, said coach Stefan Thomson.

Karlsson moved early on the last steep hill on Sunday’s stage, but was followed by Heidi Weng. Eventually, Claudel also rose to the top. Karlsson then had to let go and fell sharply astern. At the finish, the Tour winner was beaten by one minute and 40 seconds by Claudel.

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Strong Bergane

Tiril Udnes Weng had second place in the Tour de Ski before Sunday’s finish. She had 25 seconds to spare on Finnish Kerttu Niskanen. Germany’s Katharina Hennig followed a further 23 seconds later.

Udnes Weng kept up with Niskanen up the alpine slope for a long time, while Hennig got into trouble early on. Towards the end, Udnes Weng also stiffened and gave away the entire lead to Niskanen. At the finish, the two were separated by 39 seconds.

Niskanen finished fourth on the stage, while Udnes Weng finished tenth. Thus, the Norwegian cross-country profile was number three overall in the Tour de Ski.

Margrethe Bergane impressed with a strong eighth place on the stage that ended at the top of Alpe Cermis. Six places further down on the results list came Astrid Øyre Slind.

Heidi Weng was happy after the second place.

– This feels very good. I really quickly felt that the ground was a little heavier than it normally has been. It was nice to have the back of the French woman, who was not so far behind me last year. When she started to increase, I just had to find my speed. I would have liked to have another gear, she said.