Meet Hanna Lodin, the Pro Team athlete from Team Engcon who took 3rd place at Klarälvsloppet last weekend.

In the world of long-distance skiing, where perseverance and dedication are paramount, a rising star has captured the attention of fans and experts alike. Recently, ProXCskiing.com had the privilege of talking to the talented Hanna Lodin and gaining insight into her journey, training regimen, and aspirations for the upcoming season.

Last year, as part of Ski Team Göhlins, Hanna Lodin emerged as a surprise contender, finishing an impressive 2nd overall in the Pink Youth competition. Last weekend, Hanna performed well by finishing 3rd place at the Ski Classics Challengers event Klarälvsloppet.

Finishing the 90-kilometer course after a summer of arduous training and even being able to roller ski such a long distance faster than more experienced skiers is an impressive achievement for the young athlete.

Read More: Jenny Larsson dominates Challengers event Klarälvsloppet 2023

“I felt energized and strong the entire race. After the first sprint, we ended up in a group of five working well together, and between the 30 and 75km, it was a pleasant journey. In the last 15km, the tension in the group increased, and eventually, Jenny managed to break away with Ida,” says Hanna Lodin to ProXCskiing.com and added:

“After that, I thought my chances of ending up on the podium were small since I knew Anikken (Gjerde Alnæs) was a strong sprinter. But on the other hand, I knew that I had shown some ‘sprint skills’ during training, and I got to show that at the end. The result and feeling this weekend help my confidence and shows that it goes well with the training.”

Reflecting on the past season, Hanna Lodin shared: 

“Before last season, I had limited experience competing frequently. My focus was more about challenging myself, learning from mistakes, and gaining new experiences while enjoying every moment.”

Also Read: Hanna Lodin looks forward to Season XV

The 24-year-old Swedish skier only started competing in long-distance skiing races in 2020, when she started Vasaloppet for the first time, finishing in the 46th position. From that year till 2022, she did some races with impressive results, but, as she says, it was more about the challenge than the victory. 

In 2022, Hanna decided to step into the Ski Classics circuit, finishing 12th overall in the Yellow Champion competition and 2nd in the Pink Youth competition.

The highs of the previous season were evident, as Hanna maintained a consistent performance level throughout, with her weakest results being a respectable 16th place in both the Pustertaler Ski Marathon and Grönklitt Criterium. 

The highlight included a remarkable 9th-place finish in the prestigious Vasaloppet and standout performances in races like the Season Finale Summit 2 Senja. However, the Swedish Pro Team athlete also acknowledges there is room for improvement, particularly in handling challenging downhill sections.

As the interview shifted to summer training, Hanna Lodin revealed: 

“This summer marked a turning point as it was the first without a summer job, allowing me to dedicate over 100 hours per month to training. I focused on building a stable foundation with high-volume workouts, incorporating long sessions and 2-3 threshold sessions per week.”

A pivotal moment in her training journey was a team training camp in June, providing her valuable insights and areas to focus on during the summer months.

When asked about her beginning in the world of long-distance skiing, Hanna explained: 

“Long-distance skiing came naturally to me when I decided to dedicate at the age of 20. Growing up in a family where cross-country skiing was a tradition, I always knew that participating at Vasaloppet was a goal to achieve sooner rather than later.”

Her breakthrough race, Vasaloppet, was a standout moment last season. However, she revealed: 

“I did not follow any special training regimen for Vasaloppet. It was one of those races where everything clicked, and I felt energetic and strong throughout.”

Being part of Team Engcon has significantly impacted her development as an athlete. Hanna expresses gratitude, saying: 

“Our team boasts experienced and knowledgeable individuals, including technical guru Jørgen Ulvang and training expert Mattias Reck. Our training camps provide a platform to challenge ourselves and learn from teammates, particularly the inspiring Ida (Dahl).”

Wrapping up the interview, Hanna Lodin shares insights into her life outside of sports. 

“Currently, I am pursuing a full-time degree in engineering physics, entering my final year,” Lodin concludes with a smile.

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