Stina Nilsson: The cross-country skiing star who wants to annoy Wierer & Co

It is not uncommon for a cross-country skiing ace to decide to switch to biathlon. But it is extremely unusual for one of the best athletes of all time to take this path. Especially since 26-year-old Nilsson is in her prime cross-country skiing age. Always fascinated by biathlon Nilsson was born in Malung in 1993 and was enthusiastic about the sport of biathlon since she was a little girl. But because she had extraordinary qualities in cross-country skiing, she left the weapon aside. And rightly so, because what followed was an incredible career that is unparalleled in her country: world champion, Olympic champion, 23-time World Cup winner, Nilsson became the best Swedish cross-country skier of all time at a young age. Nothing more is possible - the exceptional talent knew that too.

The highlight of sprint queen Stina Nilsson's career: the Olympic victory. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Nilsson already trained with Hanna Öberg's biathlon team last summer. And after she was set back by a serious rib injury in the winter, it was clear to the sprint star: she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her compatriot Magdalena Forsberg and become a biathlete. The 42-time biathlon World Cup winner Forsberg switched to ski hunters at the age of 27, but compared to Nilsson, she had not achieved a single cross-country skiing victory. The same applies to Denise Herrmann, who is currently setting the running times in the Biathlon World Cup.

The next few years will show whether Nilsson will also become a superstar among women's biathlon. What is certain is that she has a running potential that has never been seen before in the sport of biathlon. And if she learns to shoot quickly, then the competition around Dorothea Wierer and Tiril Eckhoff will have to warm up. IBU is the big winner In any case, the dashing blonde's change of sport is a big win for the international biathlon association - and at the same time a bitter loss for the international ski association FIS. Because Nilsson was, alongside Therese Johaug, the big star of the scene, the face of a sport that is losing one of its greatest protagonists.

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Stina Nilsson: The cross-country skiing star who wants to annoy Wierer & Co

The news spread like wildfire: Stina Nilsson, one of the most successful cross-country skiers of all time, is changing sports and is aiming for success in biathlon in the future. The Swede wants to take on the big boys there.

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