Stina Nilsson Transitions to Long-Distance Skiing in Ski Classics Tour

Stina Nilsson, the 30-year-old Olympic champion, has officially announced her departure from biathlon to pursue a new challenge in long-distance skiing within the Ski Classics series, as reported by SVT. Known for her remarkable achievements in cross-country skiing, Nilsson previously secured a gold medal at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics. However, her biathlon career did not reach the same heights compared to her prior skiing accolades.

"The rifle has been put on the shelf now. Let’s see how far I can get," Nilsson shared with SVT.

She has signed a two-year contract with Team Radge Charge, an elite long-distance ski team led by trailblazing athletes Jörgen and Anders Aukland. In her announcement on the team's Instagram page, she stated, "I feel like I have used my entire potential as a biathlete. Long-distance races and the Vasaloppet have always interested me. I knew I wanted to do this when the Auklands asked me."

This marks Nilsson's second sport transition in just a few years; she previously switched from cross-country skiing to biathlon following an injury-plagued season in 2019–2020. Though her initial foray into biathlon showed promise—with podium finishes in World Cups and strong performances in Sweden’s relay teams—she faced difficulties in maintaining consistent results in subsequent seasons, which limited her place on the competitive Swedish biathlon squad.

Now, with her eyes set on this new chapter, Nilsson reflected on her journey: "I am someone who focuses one hundred percent on one thing. This has been like closing one book and opening another.”