Karlsson opened strongly and was in the lead after 2.6 kilometers, but dropped to third place halfway through the race.
At five kilometres, 2.7 seconds separated Kerttu Niskanen in first place, but that distance was only slightly longer and Niskanen was 16.5 seconds ahead of Karlsson at the finish line.
The Norwegian Anne Kjersti Kalvå was second – 12.7 seconds behind the Finn – with her best World Cup placing in her career.
She previously had a fourth place best.
The text is updated.