Svindal: “When the tears start, I let them flow”

“I know it will be special, but I hope it will be a good thing. Of course it's a race. Everyone is nervous there. Especially if it's a World Cup, that will be at least fifty percent of the feelings. I'm not sure about the other fifty percent, I've never been in that situation. All in all, I’m happy,” said the 36-year-old Svindal in a Norwegian association press conference at Copperhill Mountain Lodge on Thursday evening.

He doesn't know yet how it will turn out, but as an athlete you always have to put emotions aside; it would be perfect to be able to combine everything well, explained Svindal. And he also lets himself be surprised by whether tears will flow: “If they come, it’s a very strong signal. I don't know if they're locked for me, but they don't come that often. When they start, I let them flow,” explained the Norwegian.

Aksel Lund Svindal will compete in his last race on Saturday. © instagram/aksel lund svindal

Svindal: “It won’t be a goodbye run” Svindal chose a big race for his farewell, others ride through a course for the last time in funny costumes and high-five their trainers and companions. Not his style. “That makes it a little harder. You are in two worlds. It would be perfect to stand in the starting house and say goodbye to everyone, but I have to race. That's why I can understand why other people do a goodbye run. But I want to do a real race.” Afterwards there would still be the opportunity to shake hands in the finish area.

Family, friends, many Norwegians will come to Sweden for the race. “It will be impossible to talk to everyone, but I hope to talk to many. Maybe I'll stay here for a few more days so I'll have time to meet people. And then I'll slowly retire." There will of course also be a party with the association and with Head and Lindsey Vonn, who is also resigning.

Norwegian head coach: “Aksel is irreplaceable as a teammate” 33-year-old Kjetil Jansrud was 15 when he met Svindal. “He can make good decisions and do good analysis in difficult situations. No matter whether it is in marketing, technology, skiing or within the team.” He will miss being able to exchange ideas and coordinate with him directly. “We will miss him,” Jansrud said.

In the meantime, his companions and successors will try to fill the void he leaves behind. “We have managed to have a team in the last few years, we just have to keep working on it now, without Aksel,” said men’s head coach Christian Mitter. “As a teammate, Aksel is irreplaceable. His best quality is that he makes those around him better. With his feedback, he allows everyone to be as good as possible,” he said about the model athlete for whom fairness was always very important.

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Svindal: “When the tears start, I let them flow”

The last race of his career should be a special one. Aksel Lund Svindal is hoping for a “grande finale” in the World Cup downhill on Saturday. Kjetil Jansrud in particular is deeply saddened by his teammate's resignation.

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