Cross-Country Skiing: National Team for World Championships Finalized – ‘It Will Take Something Extraordinary’

The plan for the World Championships team is set: “It will take something extraordinary.”

Only four names in Sweden’s World Championships team have been made public so far. While some athletes still hope to secure a spot, the national team management has essentially decided on the remaining members.

“If you haven’t delivered results up to now, it is very difficult to get in – it will take something extraordinary,” says Anders Byström to SVT Sport.

The World Championships in cross-country skiing kick off on 26 February in Trondheim, Norway. Currently, Ebba Andersson, Frida Karlsson, Jonna Sundling, and Johanna Hagström are the only athletes announced, with the rest of Sweden’s squad to be revealed during the SM-week in Borås from 5–9 February.

One skier, heading into the World Cup races in Cogne this weekend, hopes to strengthen her chances of earning a place or a reserve spot on the team. Moa Lundgren explains, “I was in very good form at the beginning of the season but then it has been tough due to being ill so much in such a short time. Hope is the last thing that abandons you.”

Anders Byström, the national team chief, adds that several skiers have already received notices from the management and that the overall team is essentially finalized. “Most of the important races have already taken place, so only minor adjustments remain, but the big picture is clear to us,” he explains.

Regarding the sprint events, where Sweden has only five starting positions on the women’s side, Byström admits that the competition is incredibly tough. “Every athlete chosen for those spots is capable of winning a medal, but it does not guarantee success at every distance.”

The article also includes video segments featuring voices from SVT’s Winter Studio with reactions from various skiers and sports reporters, providing additional insights into the state of the team and the intense competition for spots.