On Friday, a disappointing update arrived: alternative training will be required for weeks to come. The 25-year-old now fears that the entire start of the season may be out of reach.

It started with an overuse injury in her left foot over the summer. Then, the injury spread to her groin. Before the weekend, the 25-year-old received the discouraging news: she now has to hit the brakes hard, just before the season kicks off.

Frida Karlsson is forced to completely overhaul her season preparation. While the rest of the national team is now heading to altitude training camps in the Alps to get on skis, Karlsson has traveled to high altitudes in Tenerife, where the program consists solely of cycling and alternative training. She doesn’t know when she can resume regular cross-country skiing training.

On Friday, Karlsson still had a faint hope that she might make it to the national season opener in Bruksvallarna from November 22-24. However, that race weekend now seems highly unlikely.

“It feels too early, I have to say,” Karlsson’s coach Per Nilsson told Expressen.

He’s also unsure if Karlsson will be able to compete in any World Cup races before the new year.

“I honestly don’t know. It’s possible, but it’s not something we have as a primary goal,” Nilsson said.

Read more: How long does it take for a broken kneecap heal?

Hoping to Save the World Championship

National team manager Anders Byström, however, is not worried, even though he has essentially ruled out Karlsson for the World Cup opener.

“We know where she stands and that it’s going to be tough to get her there so soon after what’s happened,” he says, adding:

“But for Frida, it’s not really a rush. For the World Championships, it doesn’t matter if she waits until after Christmas to start competing in the World Cup, even though it’s not ideal.”

The hope is that these measures will save the World Championships for the Swedish skiing star.

Karlsson is considered one of the strongest contenders against Therese Johaug, especially in the 50 km race, which women will compete in for the first time in the World Championship this winter in Trondheim.

Johaug: “It’s Just Sad”

Johaug herself reacted with dismay when she heard that her rival – one of the few who has actually beaten the Norwegian skiing queen – is injured at the season’s start.

“No! Oh no,” Johaug said upon hearing the news of Karlsson’s injury.

“This is really sad to hear. It’s not ideal to be hit with something like this just a month before the season start. You want to optimize all training,” she says.

Surely, a competitor’s setback is a positive thing for you, though. But you don’t see it that way?

“It’s just sad. My greatest wish is for all my competitors to be able to prepare in the best way possible.”

Read more: Athletes scramble as weather threatens season opener