By Teemu Virtanen

Lager 157 Ski Team's Anton Karlsson, the green bib winner (sprint competition), injured his back in the summer and started a constructive rehab hoping to be back for Season X. It looked promising for a while, but a recent health check-up revealed that a surgery is needed for him to get well.

"The pain remains high," Karlsson says. "It has affected my left leg. After a great rehab period, things have gone the other way. In order to get back in business as usual, I must accept the fact that a surgery is the best option. My goal is still the same, but the way there has changed. My motivation is still very high and I'm aiming to be back for the next season."