Swedish Pro Team and traditional cross-country skier Evelina Settlin, Team Engcon, is leaving competitive skiing behind. As she leaves the Pro Tour and traditional cross-country skiing scene, Settlin reflects on her career, the experience on the Ski Classics circuit, and what’s next in her life.  

At the beginning of Season XII, Team Engcon announced that Settlin would be joining the team. 

During Season XII, Evelina started at 6 Pro Tour events and had 5 top 10 places, with the 6th position at Pustertaler Ski Marathon as her higher Pro Tour result.

On the other hand, she had a long and successful traditional cross-country skiing career, where she placed 9th in the 30km at the World Cup in Holmenkollen 2019. She was 13th in the skiathlon race at the World Ski Championships the same winter. In January 2020, she was 3rd in the team sprint in Dresden with Linn Sömskar in Sweden’s second team when Linn Svahn and Maja Dahlqvist won.  

After one season on the Ski Classics and ten years on the World Cup circuit, Evelina Settlin puts the skis on the shelf. ProXCskiing talked to the athlete about her career, Ski Classics, and her following goals.

Evelina, you have announced that you are ending your career in traditional cross-country skiing. Do you have plans to keep involved in Ski Classics?

“That’s right, and no, there will be no continued long-distance racing effort.”

Settlin has strengthened Team Engcon during Ski Classics Season XII and evaluates her participation and experiences on the Pro Tour circuit. 

“I was asked last spring to race for Team Engcon but then felt that it was not something I wanted to focus on. Then when they needed another girl for the premiere in Orsa, I was in a different position and said three days before, ‘okay, I’m in.’ Then when the request for more competitions during the winter came up, I accepted because I had missed traveling and racing in Europe and being part of a team,” and continues: 

“I’m glad I did. What a fun winter it was! A fantastic group to be with and many cool events. I do not regret that I got to experience and see this side of skiing before I put the skis on the shelf. The atmosphere out on the long-distance circus becomes very familiar when it is the same skiers and teams that meet all winter.”

Why have you decided to end your professional skiing career? 

“My big long-term goal was the Olympics last winter, and I hoped to find the form and speed I had a few years ago. As I watched that dream sail away, I began to think about the future. I took the opportunity to try long-distance races while I thought further, and sure, I feel like I have the qualities to succeed there. But then concluded during the season that I don’t have the drive or motivation to put in the necessary work.”

She also talks about her plans for the future:

“I am currently finishing my studies as a construction engineer, and after graduation, I hope to find an exciting job, a life that will be completely new to me! I’m also open to remaining in skiing in one way or another, as long as I don’t have to keep the bib on,” concludes Evelina Settlin.