There were only four seconds between Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson in the pursuit race, which was the final race in the Swedish national cup on Sunday. And after the finish line, there was frostiness between the two, according to Langrenn.com.

After 13 kilometers in the fog, the two skiing stars were still neck and neck, and there was no doubt that it would be a thrilling showdown for victory in the prestigious cup.

On the final stretch, Karlsson surged ahead and secured the victory with a four-second margin, but also managed to bow to the audience before crossing the finish line. This pushed Andersson over the edge.

The reigning World Champion admits she was genuinely provoked.

“I actually got quite angry and yelled, ‘You’re so difficult, Frida,'” Andersson tells Expressen.

After crossing the finish line, Andersson nudged Karlsson and exchanged only a “thanks for the battle” before leaving.

“I had to cool down a bit,” explains Andersson, adding:

“That bump was worth it. But I didn’t want to say it then and there.”

This isn’t the first time the two have been at odds with each other. During the season opener in November, it was Karlsson who scolded Andersson.

Karlsson confirms to Expressen that it was a very brief encounter and that they had bickered along the way. Specifically, it was about Karlsson constantly skiing up on Andersson’s tails.

“I was thinking, ‘Can’t I just get away from her, so I don’t have her on my tail?’ But she was strong, so I just had to try to keep my focus,” says Andersson.

Frida Karlsson explains that the bowing was for the audience.

“It’s fun that they’re here. That’s something to be thankful for. It’s really cool,” she says.

Louise Lindström finished third in the pursuit race. And it was U23 comet Märta Rosenberg who won the Swedish national cup overall.