Anton Karlsson was second in the Vasaloppet 2021 when he drove in 36 seconds behind the Norwegian Tord Asle Gjerdalen.
And it was a very satisfied Karlsson who was interviewed after the race.
Karlsson has been plagued by herniated discs for several years and this day it is 16 months since he was operated on.
- This was incredibly emotional.
There are tears of joy.
I had back surgery 16 months ago today and I have had this day in the back of my head ever since.
To finally get just about everything, perfect skis and perfect body on this day means a lot, says Anton Karlsson with tears on his cheeks.
Biggest after the courtship
Today's second place is among the biggest he has been through.
But not the biggest.
- Maybe it's when I got a yes when I got engaged two years ago.
Then there was a pandemic and no wedding in between but I hope we will succeed with it this summer.
After this the biggest, he says.
"Fought everything I had"
Karlsson took several sprint prizes but when Tord Asle Gjerdalen made his move with eight kilometers left then Karlsson was not enough.
- He was a number too strong today, that's it.
But I'm so happy.
I fought exactly everything I had, I could not go a hundred times faster today, says Karlsson.