Star cross-country skier Frida Karlsson is battling persistent foot issues as she attempts to regain form during the final stages of the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The 26-year-old Swede, who won the overall Tour de Ski title in 2022, now trails leader Jessie Diggins by nearly three minutes, facing an uphill climb to contention. Karlsson has openly discussed a long-standing and unusual problem with her heels, which she says is affecting her performance and confidence on the course, as the Winter Olympics rapidly approach.
Frida Karlsson Facing Challenges at Tour de Ski
Star Cross-Country Skier Points to Foot Issues as a Factor
“I’m not born with the best prerequisites when it comes to my feet,” she said ahead of the Tour de Ski finale.
Three years after winning the Tour de Ski, Frida Karlsson’s hopes for a repeat title are fading. The 26-year-old enters the final two stages in Val di Fiemme facing a significant deficit after a series of underwhelming performances. She currently trails race leader Jessie Diggins of the United States by nearly three minutes.
“But I have a pretty clear picture of what isn’t working,” Karlsson told reporters in Italy on the eve of the penultimate stage, a classic sprint.
”Craziest Thing I’ve Ever Seen”
The issue isn’t a new one for Karlsson, but rather a persistent problem with her heel that has bothered her for years.
“I have strange feet, honestly. I was seeing an expert who’s worked on this for 30 years, and he just said, ‘Wow, that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen!’ So, I wasn’t born with the best prerequisites when it comes to my feet,” Karlsson explained.
Currently, Karlsson is struggling to confidently apply full pressure through her heel, which is impacting her speed on the course.
“I’ve had some recurring problems with my heel. Right now, I’m not confident in ‘coming down’ into it. I don’t know if I’m just afraid, but it’s a lot about movement patterns and technique,” she said.
Olympic Games Loom
The Winter Olympics are set to take place in Val di Fiemme next month, adding extra significance to the competition. However, Karlsson isn’t overly concerned about the Games, stating she’s accustomed to addressing challenges as they arise. The Tour de Ski serves as a crucial preparation event for many athletes heading into the Olympics.
The solution to her heel issues, according to Karlsson, is straightforward, though demanding:
“It’s about breaking movement patterns and doing a lot of rehab and prehab.”
