Things are rising in Sweden: a cross-country skiing trio has had enough

The wave of departures from the strongest women's team in cross-country skiing continues. It was only in mid-May that the 22-year-old sprint sensation Linn Svahn announced that after her serious shoulder injury and completely missing the World Cup season, she would not be returning to the national team and wanted to prepare for the season on her own.

Anders Byström, head of Sweden's national cross-country skiing team, said he was “dismayed” afterwards. In Svahn the team is losing “a wonderful personality”.

Last year, Swedish World Cup athlete Anna Dyvik decided to leave the national team to train on her own. So there is a crisis in the Swedish national team.

Frida Karlsson explained her departure from the national team to the Swedish newspaper Sportbladet as follows: “This decision gives me more time to work with the people I want to work with!” “It’s about optimization and not about money at all!” Frida Karlsson The 22-year-old is considered the legitimate successor to the resigned dominator Therese Johaug. At the tender age of 19, she won silver in the ten kilometer individual, bronze in the mass start and gold in the relay at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld in 2019. She now has seven medals at major events and three World Cup victories. Last winter didn't go as planned for the cross-country skier. After two victories at the beginning of the season, her form showed a sharp downward trend and she ultimately finished the World Cup in a disappointing twelfth place. A reason to go your own way in the future.

Together with Karlsson, her good friend and roommate Maja Dahlqvist announced her departure from the national team. The 28-year-old sprint specialist clearly won the Sprint World Cup last winter. Both sides appear to have been unable to agree on financial arrangements.

Superstar Frida Karlsson will train on her own in the future. © APA/afp / VESA MOILANEN

Financial aspects would not have played a role for Karlsson. Both athletes were willing to compromise. Karlsson explained: “It's about optimization and spending more days at home and maintaining the common thread in training. It’s not about the money at all.” The Swede continued, but the decision wasn’t easy for her.

Lars Öberg, Sweden's cross-country skiing manager, confirmed: “I find it sad that Frida and Maja no longer want to be part of the national team. Our national team model has made a strong contribution to their progress.”

After three World Cup victories in a row, Maja Dahlqvist has enough influence to turn away from the association. © ANSA / KIMMO BRANDT

When asked about the reasons, Öberg remained tight-lipped. Out of respect, he didn't want to go into detail. The decisive factor for her departure was probably her lack of approval for new sponsorship agreements. The association was able to reach an agreement with twelve of the 14 ski runners, and the deadline ended last Friday.

Karlsson has had Per Nilsson, the new discipline coach for the German team, at her side as a private trainer for years, and this collaboration should continue.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Things are rising in Sweden: a cross-country skiing trio has had enough

The Swedish Ski Association receives a slap in the face: After Linn Svahn, the national cross-country skiing team also loses Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist. Now the two athletes have given their reasons.

Suggestions

Comments (0)