On March 28, 2022, the Swedish cross-country skier Charlotte Kalla made her last professional start. On Friday, she will wear a bib number again.

In this article, Charlotte Kalla talks about the preparations, the nerves before the start of the Stafettvasan (Vasaloppet Relay), and the tips for those going to race in the Vasaloppet Winter Week 2024.

Charlotte Kalla broke through to the world of traditional cross-country skiing in the first days of 2008. That’s when, through a series of solid competitions, she made it to the final climb of Alpe Cermis at the Tour de Ski. Once there, she caught Virpi Kuitunen, who started first and, with a kilometer to go, made the decisive move. 

The victory in the Tour de Ski and the three gold medals at the World Championships and the Winter Olympics make the 35-year-old former professional athlete one of Sweden’s most successful cross-country skiers. 

Two years ago, she decided to retire from elite skiing, and last summer, she became a mother to Alvin. Over the past year, she has also written an autobiography with Johan Esk. The name of the book is “Skam den som ger sig.”

Kalla’s last competition start was in the 30km at the Swedish Championships in Piteå on March 28, 2022, when she took bronze in the race. Now she is back with a bib number. But this is not a comeback.

“I see this as a fun weekend with the others in our team (Team Skistar Charlotte Kalla with Hans Olsson, Jesper Tjäder, Walter Wallberg, and Maria Pietilä Holmner). The fact that we had this common goal with the Stafettvasan has been a big reason why I have gone out on the training sessions in the track. Getting to the training with parental leave and a partner who works a lot is not easy. But I have had Alvin in the sled, and I have been able to ski. I’m very grateful for that. Classic is more difficult with a sled, so if I’ve managed to get one classic session a week, I’ve been very happy,” says Kalla a few days before Stafettvasan, according to Langd.se. 

Also Read: Charlotte Kalla ends her elite career at the Swedish Championships

Are you nervous?

“Yes, but not in the same way as before. Now, it’s more about nerves to ensure we have everything the family needs. Alvin should have a good time even when I have the bib number.” 

The fact that you run the first leg in a race like Stafettvasan means that many want to be ahead of you for the changeover in Mångsbodarna; how do you see it?

“So, it was something I was aware of. If I stand on a starting line with skis and a bib number, it will attract some curiosity. But those comparisons are for others to make. My goal is to enjoy the 25 kilometers,” says Kalla.

Read More – Vasaloppet: Nutrition strategy for before, during, and after the event

You are a debutant in Vasaloppet Winter Week but have many cross-country skiing starts before; what tips do you have for those making their first start in a ski race?

“I know that Hanna and Elvira (Öberg) said in our podcast ‘Vinterpasset’ that their former coach Wolfgang Pichler said that the last week you can only do too much. Doing something extra like that when there are five days left is not a good idea; be careful with sleep, and don’t try many new things. Go with what you’ve done before,” says Charlotte Kalla.

Read More: Complete competition program for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2024