Calle Halfvarsson is not on the Swedish national team this year. But that does not stop him from setting his sights on the home World Championships in Falun – and the dream of an individual medal.

“That is what I’m missing in my career. It would be great to finish with that at a home World Championships,” says the Swedish veteran.

He has just finished his first on-snow session of the season: two hours of double poling on a short artificial-snow loop in Orsa Grönklitt.

“The skis felt a bit long at the start, but then I got back into it,” says the 37-year-old Swedish veteran, who is not part of the national team this season.

Also Read: Swedish cross-country skiing teams for season 2026/2027

A lot of interval training

Instead, his road to the World Championships in Falun goes through the Norwegian private team Team Senor Splitkon, together with the Norwegian training guru Vetle Leander Johansen.

The team is based in Lillehammer and, in addition to Calle Halfvarsson, includes just under 20 Norwegian skiers.

He is not allowed to reveal the training philosophy that Leander Johansen works from.

“But what I can say is that I’m doing a lot more intervals than in previous seasons. There are a lot of hard intervals,” says Calle Halfvarsson.

How has the summer been?

“It has been good. Knock on wood, I have stayed free of both injuries and illness.”

Calle Halfvarsson says that the tests he has done to check his form have shown good results.

“It’s not like I have set any personal records, but I’m close to several of my old best levels.”

10 kilometers classic

You have two World Championships medals in your career, a silver and a bronze in the relay. How much do you want an individual World Championships medal in Falun?

“That is what I’m missing in my career. I have won both sprint and distance races in the World Cup, so of course it would be great to finish with a medal at the home World Championships in Falun.”

Which race are you targeting most?

“The 10 kilometers classic. That is where I have by far my biggest chance, and I like the courses in Falun.”

“I need to show that I’m among the top four”

You are not on the national team. What results do you need to win back your place on the team and then get the chance to race the World Championships in Falun?

“It’s as simple as skiing fast. Otherwise you have no business at a World Championships. For me, being outside the national team, I probably need to show that I’m among the four best Swedes to get to race.”

Calle Halfvarsson says that just before the interview he spent a few days at a training camp on Gran Canaria. Hard training was on the program – including an eight-hour bike session covering more than 200 km with 5,000 meters of climbing.

“I got a good confirmation that I’m on track, and I was almost at my freshest in the last hours of the session,” says Calle Halfvarsson.

But he has not done any training on snow during the summer months.

“No, nothing at all, actually. I haven’t even been to the ski tunnel in Torsby. What I skied here today (read: Friday) in Orsa Grönklitt are my first meters since last season.”

Season opener in Bruksvallarna

Will you race the Swedish season opener in Bruksvallarna?

“Yes, I plan to race it.”

What result do you need to feel that you have done well?

“The national team skiers usually get the first World Cup spots. Those just outside fight for the remaining two or three spots. I hope I’m one of them. For me, I probably need to finish in the top three in Bruksvallarna and show that I’m in the game.”

What are your thoughts on the rest of the season and the World Cup?

“For me, it’s first and foremost about skiing fast to be selected for the World Cup. If I am, I need to perform, and then I’ll deal with the rest later. But I know that when I’m in good shape, I can go really fast.”

Probably his last season

Is this your last season?

“Yes, I think so. At least in traditional cross-country skiing. Physically, I might be able to continue for a few more years, but you also need motivation and time. I have two small children at home and a family that I would like to spend more time with.”

Could you imagine a move to Ski Classics?

“If I still feel motivated and feel that it would work with the family after this season, I won’t rule it out. But that is not something I will decide until this season is over.”

Facts: Calle Halfvarsson

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