WILLACH. Axel Teichmann, 43, shouted at Frida Karlsson.
The Swedish star didn’t have a handle on things.
– I looked down at the skis and saw that it said Jonas, says Karlsson.
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On Friday and Saturday, the men and women run the WC’s first distance race when the Skiathlon is held in Planica. 30 kilometers for the men and 15 kilometers for the ladies with a ski and pole relay in the middle of the race.
The switch that occurs when skiers move from classic skiing to freestyle means there are seconds to be gained – or lost for those who are slow and fiddling with bindings, skis and poles.
– Of course, I have practiced it on a couple of occasions to avoid something similar happening as in Oberstdorf, says Ebba Andersson, referring to when she left a gap to Therese Johaug at the ski change in the WC 2021.
– I was a little too eager when I was going to put on the poles, so the strap was pulled out. Before that, I had given up a few seconds too much in the exchange part itself, so the seconds that I had needed to hook Therese on the way ran by.
“Sure enough, I should be able to..”
William Poromaa had an even worse ski change than Ebba Andersson in WC 2021.
– I have done it twice. One time I dropped the ski and the second time it went well. I hope it lasts. It went well at the Olympics, so I think it will work, he says.
However, he refuses to train specifically on the ski change.
– I practice it every single day actually, says Poromaa and smiles.
– I take those skis on and off most of the time, I think, so damn I should be able to do it at a competition too.
Frida Karlsson took the wrong skis
Frida Karlsson has been training for the change, but it hasn’t gone perfectly.
– I practiced some ski changes the other day at the stadium. When I had changed and was leaving, Axel Teichmann shouted at me, says Karlsson.
She says that the German, who was previously a big profile in the World Cup and the championships, shouted “Frida, wrong skis!”.
– I looked down at the skis and saw that it said Jonas or something. It was someone’s German that I happened to take.
Jonas Doblers perhaps?
– Yes, that was enough. But it will get better.
She promises to keep track of her number in the box where the skis are on Saturday.
– You just have to keep an eye on your box. It won’t happen again, says Frida Karlsson.
