After two stages of the Tour de Ski, Frida Karlsson is third - in the same second as first, World Cup leader Tiril Udnes Weng and second, veteran Kerttu Niskanen.
On Tuesday, stage three will be run over 10 km classic with an individual start in Oberstdorf in 18 degrees, on a packed salted loop in loose sugary tracks in green surroundings.
The former Finnish skier Jari Isometsä has criticized Karlsson's arrangement of the races on the television channel MTV.
- Frida Karlsson seems to simply not be able to learn.
For at least three years I have followed her, and the same mistake is repeated all the time, says Isometsä.
Karlsson smiles when she hears about Isometsä's criticism, where she called him an idiot in an evening newspaper.
- It will be the gas at the bottom again, says Karlsson with a growing smile.
"You have to go for it"
There is nothing in what he says?
- It depends on what you are going for.
So if you want to ride a "safe" race and get third, fourth, fifth, then you should open calmly, but if you want to do a really good race, you have to go for it.
You will stick to your offensive style?
- Yes, that's my style in a way.
Kerttu Niskanen rode insanely fast in Sunday's chase start over 10 km classic.
- It is her best distance tomorrow, says Karlsson, who is still chasing his first win in a Tour de Ski stage.
She has to manage without the pair horse Ebba Andersson, who is at home and training after a bout of covid-19.
- It's safe with Ebba, but I'll probably manage on my own too.
The strongest will probably win anyway and I will sell myself dearly on the hill, promises Karlsson, who has never climbed Alpe Cermis, which ends the tour on Sunday.