Reijo Jylhä and Frida Karlsson: the expert analyzes the Swede

Seefeld Skiing World Championships 2019. It is known that the Alps show some strong Swedish talent, but the final result in the 10 km traditional race will surprise almost all skiers: Frida Karlsson winning silver with a loss of only 12 seconds to Therese Johaug.

– Next Johaug, analyzed in Iltalehti.

In this decade, there will be a few victories in the World Cup, but there will also be a nutrition problem and criticism of tactics. Karlsson starts off very strong until he poisons his own ride.

– I think that the characteristics of all top skiers have always been associated with the fact that, in the opinion of others, they ski like dust. That’s what was said Mika from Myllylä, Iivo from Niskas or Eero from Mäntyrantasays Iltalehti’s expert Reijo Jylhä.

– They ski at such a speed that they are really hard. We don’t set out to do a sure-fire performance that will get us to the finish line in a good place, but we set out to win, the expert continues.

Tour de Ski 2022–23 has seen Karlsson 2.0.

– When more years come, it won’t break anymore. You can ski at the same speed the whole way and others are amazed.

Jylhä says that the “exuberant initial pace” used by Karlsson in previous years has been usual since the days of Mäntyranta.

– From the first race of the fall, Eero skied at the speed at which he thought he would win World Cup or Olympic gold. At the beginning of the season, he covered at eight kilometers, until he covered the entire 15 kilometer distance in the value races.

Ideal structure

Karlsson, 23, skis evenly with both techniques. Athletes prefer the traditional when they are on rough terrain, but free is safer on the track than on the track.

– There is nothing special about the technology, but on the other hand there are no major flaws.

The Swede’s strengths strongly support the basic principles of endurance sports.

– Light body, high power efficiency, high oxygen intake and able to produce power. Ideal as an athlete profile for cross-country skiing.

He dominates all normal distances and is reasonable in sprints.

Karlsson is 177 centimeters tall. The weight is a secret, but it is probably around 55 kilos.

– He is very light in his body composition and body structure. Frida constantly balances with limit values. A few years ago, he was on the sidelines because of problems with his weight and endurance, Jylhä commented.

– In one way, skiing is a weight sport. If she succeeds, Frida benefits from her lightness because she can also produce power.

Hater of the cold

Karlsson, who hates cold skiing mothers, is very strict during competition events, but outside the track he is talkative and smiling.

– He has Finnish guts, Jylhä describes.

At least you can find a boyfriend with Finnish family roots, because they are together William Poromaan with.

What about the future Johaug?

It will come true.

Karlsson takes the place of the international skiing queen. Without equipment or health problems, he will win the Tour de Ski on Sunday.

– The end of Johaug relieves me mentally. I used to think that I could only win by surpassing my own level. That’s probably why I’ve often started so hard, Karlsson told Iltalehte earlier in the week.