Frida Karlsson: “You are mentally mushy”
The five-mile in Holmenkollen is a highlight for most people.
But the World Cup’s longest race comes just a week after the discharge at the WC.
– The set-up can actually be thought about, says Frida Karlsson.
The World Cup’s longest race has been long overdue.
But this weekend it’s time for the women’s and men’s 50 kilometer freestyle in classic Holmenkollen – just days after the WC in Planica ended.
Earlier in the season, there was no five-mile run, but when the time comes, it is six days after the men’s WC five-mile and eight days after the women’s WC ended with the three-mile.
In other words, there may be a lot of tired legs in Norway.
– The set-up is actually something to think about. You are mentally mushy and also physically after a long championship and everything ahead, says Frida Karlsson.
She continues:
– Actually, I cheered when I heard that it would be five miles in “Kollen”. Now it’s time to focus on recovering, she says.
Tired – but not deprioritizing
For the ladies, it is the first time they ride a five-mile in the World Cup and it has been something to look forward to for many. Including Ebba Andersson, who, however, believes that the schedule means that there are not as many people on the starting line as there could have been.
– Maybe there are some who are tired after the championship and choose to abstain. I don’t do it myself, even if I’m tired, I don’t prioritize it because I think it’s such a spectacular race, Andersson says.
Calle doesn’t stand up
Calle Halfvarsson, on the other hand, will not go to Holmenkollen, but will come to the sprint in Drammen on Tuesday.
– I don’t run the five miles. I don’t really believe it when it’s crazy and five miles. I would have driven if it was classic, he says.
What do you think of the arrangement?
– In a year like this, perhaps you should have had the five-mile a little earlier in “Kollen” and also in classic when it was classic at the WC. Then you would have had a competition before the championship and then it would have been fun to run it a little earlier. But now it’s like this, he says.
“Most fun of the whole year”
The recent WC bronze medalist in the five-mile, William Poromaa, is admittedly a bit tired after the championship, but he is very much looking forward to the weekend’s competitions.
– In my opinion, Holmenkollen is the most fun race of the whole year. I’m just looking forward to it, it’s going to be great fun, he says.
But in order to manage another five miles in such a short time, recovery will be of the utmost importance.
– It is clear that you have to be careful about recovering. There will probably be some tired legs in Holmenkollen if you don’t take care of everything right in the days before. But I think it’s good, he says.
