Kalla went for knock-out from the start
- – Beyond Skiing
- Postad 24 February 2015
Kalla went for knock-out from the start.
And Charlotte Kalla’s huge effort paid off; she took gold in her favourite event, the 10 km freestyle.
“I can hardly believe it. It’s a dream come true,” says Kalla to Swedish TV.
Just when the ladies 10km was starting, the snow began to fall over Lugnet. And the longer the race went on, the heavier the snowfall got.
But the one who mastered both the weather and the course was without any doubt Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla.
The great home hope started out fast and at the first time-check she had already snatched a clear lead. And it just kept growing. The margin to runner-up Jessica Diggins of the United States was ultimately a full 41 seconds.
“I can hardly believe it. It really is a dream come true. To become world champion in this event on my home ground, it really means a lot to me. It was tough out there on the tracks today and you had to go all in all the way,” said Kalla.
Charlotte Kalla took her first individual World Championship gold of her career. She had previously won a World Championships gold in the sprint relay from 2011 (together with Ida Ingemarsdotter). In the Olympics Kalla won gold in both the 10 km freestyle in 2010 and in the relay 2014.
“It is absolutely incredible. We haven’t taken any individual medals for years and we get two on the same day. It is completely crazy! I’ve done the race of a lifetime and had amazing skis,” says Jessica Diggins who won silver.
The bronze went to the biggest surprise, Caitlin Gregg, also from the United States.
“I’m glad I started early cause it snowed more and more. Oh how I love this snow! I had incredibly good skiing and it feels fantastic to be here together with Jessica. So much fun and such an amazing surprise,” says Gregg.
Maria Rydqvist was 1.7 seconds from a bronze, and finished fourth. Emma Wikén finished 16th and Jennie Öberg 37th.