When Karlsson finished second in the Vasaloppet, he was even more moved than the winning Norwegian Tord Asle Gjerdalen.
Tears ran down her cheeks.
- 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, said Anton Karlsson in SVT's broadcast and quickly let go of the idea that the goal was to win the race.
Karlsson made his first full season in Ski Classics 2017-18.
Already in the autumn, Karlsson decided that it would be the last season.
Then he finished second in the Vasaloppet and there was some doubt.
Married two years ago
- I had to rethink the decision but pretty quickly I came to the conclusion that it was the right decision.
I was not ready to make the sacrifices with family and friends required.
I did not want to continue without being able to give one hundred percent, says Karlsson to Ski Classic's website.
Last week, his girlfriend Elin Mohlin announced that she was putting the skis on the shelf.
After the Vasaloppet, the couple hoped to have a wedding this summer, the courtship came two years ago, but the pandemic has come in between and it still haunts.
- It does not look so good now either.
We will have to wait and see when it is possible to hold a wedding, says Karlsson.