Johaug’s cross-country comeback overshadowed by Karlsson in Ruka
Nov 29, 2024·Cross-Country
Light snow and sub-zero temperatures greeted the athletes for the traditional opener of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup.
But it was arguably the sunshine that won Frida Karlsson (SWE) the 10km Classic in Ruka, Finland. The Swede, 25, chose the warmer weather of Tenerife for her alternative training – including cycling and double-poling intervals – in November after the recurrence of an old foot injury.
“It wasn’t obvious that I would be on the start line, so it’s incredible to be here,” admitted Karlsson. The 2023 Tour de Ski champion was ahead at every split before finishing 46.5 seconds clear of Therese Johaug (NOR) on her World Cup comeback to take the 12th victory of her World Cup career. “I wasn’t believing it when they gave me the times on the loops [laps]. It was so much fun today.”
On a two laps of a gruelling Ruka course that features three steep climbs and challenging flat sections, waxing is normally crucial: finding a balance between grip on the uphill sections and speed on the descent.
And Karlsson, with her smooth, upright action, seemed to have the perfect combination with only three other skiers managing to get within a minute of her time of 25 minutes, 16.2 seconds.
“It was really fun to race again and of course to come here and see a lot of audience and be full speed on the track,” Johaug said. “I didn’t think that I would be second today so I'm so happy with that.
“Frida was at a high level so I've no chance to take her. Of course, she's starting late and I'm starting really early so I think the conditions might be a little bit better [for her] but she raced a really strong race today so that's fun to see.”
While her comeback was slightly overshadowed, the Norwegian legend did at least seem to inspire her teammates, with Heidi Weng finishing fifth and Astrid Oeyre Slind, 36, claiming just the third World Cup podium to edge out Katharina Hennig (GER).
“I am very happy, very happy,” Slind said. “It’s actually conditions that I struggle with so I’m really satisfied with my race.
“I felt good out there. I felt I could ski well technically if I could just calm down and manage the double-poling well – because I know that’s my strength – and try not to kill myself in the uphills.
“Getting good intermediates (times) is so motivating and so much fun to be back in the big business again.”
Henning, who was somewhat overshadowed by teammate Victoria Carl last season, was also satisfied. She said: “I felt very good, I think the happiest fourth place in the world because I had a very bad autumn with a lot of sickness and I lost nearly four weeks of training, so I’m not expecting that [fourth place] and I’m very, very thankful.”
Defending World Cup overall champions Jessie Diggins (USA), meanwhile, had to make do with seventh place.
