With around 100 days left until the World Championships sprint in Trondheim and just a few hours until the Swedish season premiere in Bruksvallarna, Linn Svahn has a clear focus. 

Linn Svahn is counting down to the sprint final in Trondheim on February 27, 2025. At the last World Championships in Planica, three Swedish skiers posed the toughest competition, and unfortunately for Svahn, she left the event in Slovenia without a medal.

Back in 2021, she was eliminated in the semifinals of the World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany, despite competing with a shoulder injury sustained just two weeks prior at a World Cup race in Ulricehamn. This injury led to two surgeries and ultimately forced her to miss the 2022 Beijing Olympics. 

Also Read – Linn Svahn: “Like night and day”

To date, Linn Svahn has yet to win a World Championships medal at the senior level. Heading into the new season, her focus couldn’t be clearer. 

“It’s a straightforward (World) Championships focus. That’s the ultimate goal this season,” Linn stated in an interview with ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langd.se, adding: 

“No matter if it’s Bruksvallarna in early November or the season finale in Lahti, you always want to perform well. But this year, I’m working specifically toward the World Championships. My season is planned with that in mind.” 

Read More: 2024/2025 cross-country skiing World Cup calendar

A Tactical Foundation 

Mastering tactical elements has been one of the strengths of the 24-year-old from Lycksele. The sprint course in Granåsen, Trondheim, is one where tactics will be crucial, particularly approaching the final stretch. 

“I think every race is tactical in one way or another. Part of the tactics is how you use your own strengths to move quickly from A to B. Another part is how you use those strengths against your competitors. But it’s largely about being in the right place at the right time,” explains Svahn. 

On Preparing for the World Championships

How much do you think about improving on specific aspects to beat Kristine Stavås Skistad compared to just focusing on winning the World Championships? 

“I don’t focus at all on how to improve compared to someone else. It’s about optimizing my own skills. I don’t get motivation from targeting a specific competitor.” 

“Let’s say a new skier emerges with completely different strengths—then I’d have focused on one person, and I don’t believe in that. Though for some, it might work.” 

Could the Skiathlon Offer Another Opportunity? 

At the World Championships in Planica, Svahn also competed in the 30km race and the skiathlon. She finished fourth in the 30km and 16th in the skiathlon. It’s the skiathlon where she hopes to secure a spot in Trondheim. 

If given the opportunity to race more distances at the World Championships, would you accept? And if so, which one? 

“Yes. Skiathlon.” 

What interests you about that event? 

“Mass start. I think it’s a fun event as well. It’s quite complete. Plus, I think the finish suits me,” Svahn analyzes. 

“Working My Way Into the Season” 

Ahead of the premiere in Bruksvallarna, Svahn is set to compete in the sprint and a distance race. Last year, at the season premiere in Gällivare, she participated in both distance races but skipped the sprint. 

“I think I’m prepared for the season, but I’m not at peak performance yet. I haven’t done anything to reach top form yet. In a way, I may need to work my way into this season. But I’ve had a good summer and fall, so I feel pretty confident it will go well,” Svahn concludes. 

Bruksvallarna Swedish Premiere

Bruksvallarna is the place for the Swedish traditional cross-country skiing premiere this 2024/2025 winter. The event weekend starts on Friday, November 22, with a sprint race in freestyle technique. On Saturday, November 23, a 10km interval start in classic technique event awaits. On Sunday, November 24, the weekend ends with a 10km interval start freestyle race.

Watch the complete weekend live-streamed on SC Play, with exclusive rights in all countries except Sweden. You can follow the events live on SC Play every race day from 8:40 CET on Friday and 10:30 CET on Saturday and Sunday, with English commentaries from Max Östlund and Julia Angelsiöö (Ski Team Göhlins Pro Team athlete) on Friday; Teemu Virtanen and Julia Angelsiöö on Saturday; and Teemu Virtanen and Max Östlund on Sunday!

SC Play is included in Proxcskiing.com, Langd.se, Langrenn.com, Maastohiihto.com, and Bezky.net memberships.

BRUKSVALLARNA PREMIERE – WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY!

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