Cross-Country Skiing: Astrid Öyre Slind and Edvin Anger Go Against the Current

The article explains how several leading cross-country skiers have opted to prepare for the World Championships by skipping some World Cup events. However, Edvin Anger is one of the athletes who consistently competes at every World Cup weekend, even as many of his counterparts choose to sit out.

Anger, who is currently in second place overall in the World Cup standings, states that competing every weekend does not diminish his performance. He argues that with plenty of time left before the World Championships, athletes can balance training and competition without compromising long-term goals.

In contrast, Astrid Öyre Slind – the runner-up in the women’s overall standings – has also raced in every World Cup event so far. She believes that experiencing ups and downs in performance, including the challenges of racing with a heavier physique at times, is beneficial for development.

National team coach Anders Byström comments that it is almost inevitable for athletes to skip some World Cup events in championship seasons, as the main focus is on peaking for the World Championships, which are considered the most important competition.

Both athletes emphasize long-term planning, with Anger remarking that his goal is not to be the best right now but to reach peak performance in two to three years. This perspective underlines a commitment to sustained training rather than the pressure of immediate success.