Skiing expert Johan Olsson reacted strongly to Alvar Myhlback’s statement during the live broadcast of Friday’s race in Lillehammer.

Despite finishing 58th, a calm and composed Alvar Myhlback faced the media after the race, reflecting on his training for Moraparken and how it influenced his performance in Lillehammer.

“If you hit the wall on this course, you won’t get anywhere. But I think I started a bit too cautiously,” Myhlback told Johanna Ojala in the mixed zone, suggesting that the race might have been too short for his strengths:

“In the end, I realized I would’ve liked a longer race because I still had energy left,” he concluded.

Balanced Training Approach

Myhlback, part of the Lager 157 Ski Team competing in Ski Classics, has trained extensively with the team over the summer while also preparing for the World Championships. When langd.se interviewed him last summer, he explained his training plan:

“I got a ready-made camp schedule as early as May. Then, I discussed back and forth with the national team and Lager 157. We came up with a good setup involving more camps with Lager 157 during the summer.”

The 18-year-old has been balancing long-distance and traditional skiing in his training.

“So far, I’ve been more of a long-distance skier. Now, my focus is on the World Championships this winter. I’ll keep training and see what happens.”

“I’m 50/50—a long-distance and traditional skier,” Myhlback shared during a high-altitude camp with the national team in Livigno.

Read also: Alvar Myhlback: “Skiing is pretty much my life” 

Johan Olsson Reacts

Myhlback came third in the last edition of the Vasaloppet at just 17 years old. At 16, he finished eighth. Reflecting on his performance after the race in Lillehammer, he shared:

“I would’ve liked a longer race since I still had a lot to give. I guess that’s what happens when you’ve been training to perform well at Moraparken,” Myhlback concluded.

Read also: Brilliant win for Alvar Myhlback at the Planica Junior World Championships

Skiing expert Johan Olsson strongly reacted to Myhlback’s words. Johanna Ojala questioned whether Myhlback was thinking of the Vasaloppet.

“If that’s the case, I think he’s making a mistake,” Olsson emphasized.

“He’s heading for the World Championships,” Ojala added.

“He should focus on the World Championships. In the long run, Alvar belongs to the world elite of traditional skiing. Long-distance races can come later. But ultimately, it’s a decision he has to make himself,” Olsson concluded.

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