Lillehammer (NOR): Karlsson best in the 20 km again

For the third race day of the Lillehammer World Cup weekend, a format found a revival that has been off the World Cup calendar since 1987. The 20km C Mass start for women is a re-introduced distance on the World Cup calendar after the introduction of equal distances for women and men.

Thus, as the course set had to be moved from the original Birkebeineren stadium to the former Biathlon stadium close by, and a new distance on schedule, the 6th World Cup competition of the 2022/23 season awaited with a bunch of new features.

Frida Karlsson from Sweden was the favorite on todays 20km Mass start in Classic technique, around the courses at Lillehammer and Birkebeineren stadium. Still, Karlsson had to deliver and defend her favourable role against a strong field of athletes from diverse nations. All had shown to be in top shape throughout the weekend, took part in the pace making group up front and showed up for the audience that had gathered closely along the courses.

The large leading group took turns for the pace making role. 42 year-old Masako Ishida from Japan regularly hits decent results but was all up front during todays Classic Mass start and was rewarded with a superb 12th final rank.

But at the head of the leading group, Karlsson was pacing with her team colleague Ebba Andersson. Frida Karlsson really tried to set a hard pace in the group to tried to pull away from as many contenders as possible. In the final lap, the Swedish duo shortly managed to create a gap but right behind, the duo from Finland with Kerttu Niskanen and Krista Pärmäkoski did a fantastic job in staying on the heels of the leaders. With huge efforts, the pack was back together as they headed into the stadium for the long stadium turn towards the finish line.  Karlsson chose the best track, but the Overall World Cup leader Tiril Udnes Weng from Norway had saved some energy and pulled it all out for the final sprint, closed up to Karlsson and crossed the finish line in 2nd place.

Ebba Andersson got rewarded with the last remaining spot on the podium.

[Click here](http://For the third race day of the Lillehammer World Cup weekend, a format found a revival that has been off the World Cup calendar since 1987. The 20km C Mass start for women is a re-introduced distance on the World Cup calendar after the introduction of equal distances for women and men. Thus, as the course set had to be moved from the original Birkebeineren stadium to the former Biathlon stadium close by, and a new distance on schedule, the 6th World Cup competition of the 2022/23 season awaited with a bunch of new features. Frida Karlsson from Sweden was the favorite on todays 20km Mass start in Classic technique, around the courses at Lillehammer and Birkebeineren stadium. Still, Karlsson had to deliver and defend her favourable role against a strong field of athletes from diverse nations. All had shown to be in top shape throughout the weekend, took part in the pace making group up front and showed up for the audience that had gathered closely along the courses. The large leading group took turns for the pace making role. 42 year-old Masako Ishida from Japan regularly hits decent results but was all up front during todays Classic Mass start and was rewarded with a superb 12th final rank. But at the head of the leading group, Karlsson was pacing with her team colleague Ebba Andersson. Frida Karlsson really tried to set a hard pace in the group to tried to pull away from as many contenders as possible. In the final lap, the Swedish duo shortly managed to create a gap but right behind, the duo from Finland with Kerttu Niskanen and Krista Pärmäkoski did a fantastic job in staying on the heels of the leaders. With huge efforts, the pack was back together as they headed into the stadium for the long stadium turn towards the finish line.  Karlsson chose the best track, but the Overall World Cup leader Tiril Udnes Weng from Norway had saved some energy and pulled it all out for the final sprint, closed up to Karlsson and crossed the finish line in 2nd place. Ebba Andersson got rewarded with the last remaining spot on the podium. Click here for the results of the Women´s 20km. ) for the full result list of the 20km C Mst.