Karolina Hedenström had a bad fall after an encounter with a car during Saturday’s Båstad-Mölle, but she still feels eager for Klarälvsloppet on Sunday. 

“I like roller skiing, and crashes happen,” she says Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team, to Langd.se. 

It was during Saturday’s roller ski race from Båstad to Mölle that Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Hanna Lodin, Team Engcon, broke away together with male skier Marcus Ullman, DPONLY Ski Club. In an interview with Langd.se, Karolina shares her thoughts on the crash. 

“It was quite scary. The first crash I was involved in happened in the sharp right turn right after the first hill. Hanna and Marcus fell right in front of me. Just a little further behind, Linnea (Johansson) also fell,” Hedenström explains, continuing: 

“I was just lucky that someone had fallen in front of me. It was a tough turn to take, plus there was a lot of gravel on the road, so most people went straight into the grass,” Hedenström explains. 

Hedda Bångman, eD system Vltava Fund Team, quickly got a significant gap and, like Hedenström and Lodin, received help from male skiers who started at the same time. 

Also Read: Novak and Bångman winners of Båstad-Mölle 2024

“After the first crash, I didn’t want to ski alone, so I stopped and waited for Hanna and Ullman,” Hedenström points out. 

“Watch out for gravel”

“Around Vejbystrand, there was another sharp turn, and I saw that there was gravel where we were going to ski, so I yelled to the others, ‘Watch out for gravel!’ Right then, I saw a car coming towards us, and that’s when I crashed,” she recounts. 

How did you experience the encounter with the car? 

“Well… It was… You’d rather choose gravel than a car, you know. Gravel is kinder to crash into than cars,” says “Karro,” who, considering the circumstances, is feeling well and is back in training during Lager 157’s camp in the area. 

Did it go well enough that you’re still excited for Klarälvsloppet? 

“Oh yes. I like roller ski races, and crashes happen,” she emphasizes, adding: 

“I fell this spring in a similar situation. It was a hidden crest and a dug-up road. Things happen, just like what happened to Annikken, which was also terrible. But when you’re racing, you’re so focused that you don’t think about the risks in the same way.” 

Read More: Gjerde Alnæs hit by a car while roller skiing

With some distance from the event, Karolina is critical of the organizer’s safety considerations. 

“I told the organizer after the finish that it’s borderline unsafe. It’s pretty easy to check the course and see if there’s gravel or obstacles.” 

“This race has huge potential with absolutely stunning surroundings. I hope they find a way to make it feel safe as well,” Hedenström emphasizes. 

Langd.se has been in contact with the race director for Båstad-Mölle, Lennart Klingberg. He acknowledges that there’s room for improvement regarding safety. 

Actions taken right after the race finish

“We addressed it immediately after the race. I personally went to check the spots where the crashes happened. I’ve also interviewed those involved in the crashes, and we will conduct an evaluation together with the Swedish Transport Administration. There were too many cars on Kullaberg, which may have to do with the start time. Last year, we started at 13:30, and this year at 11:30. If the weather is nice, the traffic situation is very different,” Klingberg explains and concludes: 

“This year, we swept parts of the course, but we’re working on being able to sweep the entire course next year.” 

Klarälvsloppet live-streamed this weekend on SC Play

On Sunday, September 22, the Ski Classics Challengers circuit continues with Klarälvsloppet, a 90-kilometer roller ski race in classic technique in Sweden. On SC Play, you can watch the event live from 8:45 CET. 

Klarälvsloppet is a 90km long-distance roller ski event in Karlstad. The event is Sweden’s longest roller ski race, and the course cuts right through the Värmland countryside following the river Klarälven, a 90km paved nature experience.

KLARÄLVSLOPPET – LIVE HERE ON SC PLAY!

The SC Play app is available to download for iOS, Android, and Apple TV. You can watch on your television, mobile device, and computer. SC Play is a part of The Ski Community and is accessible to all members on news sites ProXCskiing.com, Langd.se, Langrenn.com, and Maastohiihto.com. 

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.