Confusion around the star: 'You get a bit panicky'

Frida Karlsson struggled badly on Wednesday’s Tour de Ski stage, a new World Cup-format race where competitors were divided into four heats over 5 km freestyle. Although Karlsson started strongly, she faded and finished 13th in her heat, 13.6 seconds behind heat winner Nadja Kaelin and ultimately 52nd overall, 38.1 seconds behind stage winner Jessie Diggins.

According to Swedish press reports the result was described as a "collapse". Karlsson herself said she lost her rhythm on the climb; when several skiers passed her at once she became tense and stressed, which made her tighten up and lose control.

The stage format has drawn criticism in the World Cup. No one could match the American Jessie Diggins on the day — she won ahead of Emma Ribom and Moa Ilar, with Norway’s Astrid Øyre Slind the best Norwegian in 12th. Diggins also left the Tour de Ski in the overall lead by 50 seconds ahead of Øyre Slind going into Thursday’s pursuit.

The article lists the remaining stages of the Tour de Ski: 1 Jan — 20 km classic pursuit (Toblach); 3 Jan — sprint classic (Val di Fiemme); 4 Jan — 10 km free mass start (Val di Fiemme). The two closing stages take place on the Olympic tracks in Val di Fiemme. The article also references criticism of the new format and links to related coverage.