Karoline Simpson-Larsen in tears after words from Sivert Guttorm Bakken

Karoline Simpson-Larsen was emotional after the final climb of the Tour de Ski and spoke about having the recently deceased biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken in her thoughts.

The Norwegian found the last reserves of strength on the concluding stage of the Tour de Ski and was first across the line on Alpe Cermis. After the finish she revealed that Bakken – who died just before Christmas – had been on her mind and that his words, spoken shortly before he passed away, echoed in her head before the finish.

"It's strange, because the last thing Sivert said to me the day before was that he believed in me and that he would have been here watching with Johan (Botn, who is Simpson-Larsen's partner)," she said in Viaplay's broadcast and continued:

"They were supposed to be here, so this means a lot."

Simpson-Larsen told NRK that they were close friends and she had a hard time holding back tears when she talked about Bakken. Recent events have given her extra inspiration.

"You know that Sivert was someone who wouldn't have given up, he'd just have kept going, so I've tried to use that as motivation," she said.

The report included short video clips from the finish and from when Simpson-Larsen broke down emotionally when talking about Bakken.

(Photos: TT Nyhetsbyrån/NRK and TV2)