The 20-year-old reveals that Ski Classics is not enough. He is increasingly tempted by traditional cross-country skiing.

When the Swedish domestic season opens in Bruksvallarna on November 20, the Swedish star will be on the starting line. And his goal is clear: Alvar Myhlback wants to be the best in the world.

And although Ski Classics racing remains the 20-year-old’s main focus, he admits that traditional cross-country skiing is becoming increasingly tempting. 

“I want to keep taking steps to become the best in the world, both in long-distance racing and traditional cross-country skiing, or perhaps above all in traditional,” Myhlback told SVT Sport. 

At the Milano/Cortina Olympics, Myhlback finished ninth in the sprint, Sweden’s second-best result on the men’s side at the Games.  

Double programme

Myhlback now confirms that he will combine both disciplines this coming winter.

“Long-distance racing is still the main focus. I’m a long-distance skier for Lager 157, and I will continue to be. But there aren’t Ski Classics races every weekend, and I love to compete,” he says. 

His first competition will therefore be the Swedish season opener in Bruksvallarna from November 20 to 22, 2026.  

The World Cup opener follows the next weekend in Ruka, from November 27 to 29, before the World Cup round in Trondheim from December 4 to 6. The Ski Classics season does not start until the weekend of December 11 to 13.

Also Read: Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII

Myhlback also reports that his pre-season preparations have gone smoothly, completely free of injury and illness. 

“I feel good. I’ve been healthy and injury-free this summer and have been able to train consistently,” he says. 

Historic talent

Last year, the Swedish star made World Cup history precisely at the Trondheim World Cup round, where he finished third in the sprint. 

Myhlback, who was 19 at the time, thereby became the youngest ever to claim a World Cup podium. With his third place in the sprint at Granåsen, the young Swede also became the first teenager ever to do so. 

He broke the record of Vladimir Smirnoff, who was 20 years and 16 days old when he reached his first World Cup podium in Murmansk back in 1984. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was 20 years and 35 days old when he did it in Ruka in 2016. Petter Northug was 20 years and 61 days old in Falun in 2006. 

The podium came just over six months after he won Vasaloppet as an 18-year-old. 

Read More – Myhlback’s Record: “This is a life goal, and I achieved it at 18 years old”

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