Frida Karlsson goes back to back as Ruka Nordic starts with the Women's 10k Interval Start Classic

Frida Karlsson replicates her victory in the Women’s 10k Interval Start Classic. The race was way closer than last year.

– I think it was very fun. I was very focused on my own skiing. I felt good that I had some good push over the hills, Frida Karlsson commented after the race.

The Norwegian Heidi Weng comes 10.5 seconds behind the winner. Moa Ilar defeats her Swedish teammate Ebba Andersson to take the podium. Ilar has not been selected to the Olympics yet so this podium is huge for her. Ilar was 18.3 seconds behind the winner Karlsson. Andersson was 21.2 seconds behind Karlsson. 

The Swedes are looking great as the Olympics are closing in. Three Swedes in top four today, if not for Heidi Weng’s great race it would have been a triple podium for Sweden. 

Last year’s overall Crystal Globe winner Jessie Diggins had a great race. She finished fifth, being 27.5 seconds behind the winner. 

Krista Pärmäkoski was the top Finnish skier of the day finishing ninth. She’s off to a good start to her last World Cup season before retirement. Jasmi Joensuu was only one spot behind her at tenth, she will be in contention for the sprint tomorrow. 

Text: Pietu Enne
Image: Noora Luukkanen