This weekend the first skiathlon of the season will be decided when the World Cup is decided in Lillehammer. Charlotte Kalla has had success in the discipline and is Olympic champion from 2018 but sees major challenges with this weekend's competitions.
- Here in Lillehammer there are no forgiving paths, they are really tough and decisive.
"Let's see what the body has to offer"
Kalla had a good season premiere in Gällivare but when the World Cup started in Rukka last weekend the forces were not there. She finished in 17th place over 10 km in 14th place of the entire mini tour.
- The day form was not there, but it was the one in Gällivare, so I felt very well. Then we did not meet properly with the skis in Rukka either. We'll see what the body has to offer tomorrow. I do not have very high hopes that there will have been wonders during these few days we have had at home.
The season has just started and during a championship free season is one of the major goals of the Tour de Ski, which will be decided at the turn of the year.
- It is important to work patiently. Sooner or later it will come off and it wasn't too long ago that I had a "go" feeling in my body. It is not possible to conjure so much, but to put energy into the right things.
"I miss them"
This weekend, Kalla gets through without her regular teammates. Stina Nilsson and Frida Kalrsson have rebuffed and Ebba Andersson is still suffering a knee injury that is on the way. Three missing teammates, who together with Kalla secured Sweden's first relay World Cup gold on the women's side last winter. A discipline that is also run this weekend.
- Yes, I miss them. It would have been great fun to go with those brides.
Skiathlon is first out and will be decided during tomorrow starting at 11am, which you will see in SVT.