Anton Persson had a dream start in Ski Classics, securing the Green Sprint bib in Bad Gastein after an impressive team effort and strategic skiing. Now, he shares his goals and the impact of his team captain.

A Promising Start

As a competitive traditional cross-country skier, Anton Persson quickly made a name for himself in the long-distance circuit after transitioning to Ski Classics. Last summer, Team Ramudden announced Persson as a new and somewhat unexpected addition to their lineup. During the season’s opening events in Bad Gastein, Persson immediately demonstrated his potential by clinching the green sprint bib, which he describes as a dream start.

“It felt like everything clicked right away. It’s always hard to know where you stand before a race like that, but it went well—no mishaps,” says Persson humbly about his performance in the premiere.

Overcoming Challenges

However, the path to success was not without its difficulties. Starting in the 60th position, Persson had to rely on strategy and skill to navigate the field. He reached the lead group and secured crucial points in both sprints.

“The plan was to go for the green bib, but it’s always tough from that position. I found openings and went for it, which made all the difference,” explains the 29-year-old from Torsby to ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langd.se.

Buskqvist’s Role as Captain

Despite Persson’s strong showing in the Sprint bib competition, teammate Alfred Buskqvist adopted a more passive role in the sprints, surprising many. Team Ramudden’s Pro Team Director, Gustaf Korsgren, explains that Buskqvist has a different focus this year.

“Buskqvist is the team captain in the field, making decisions to ensure our racers succeed. Hopefully, he’ll also have opportunities for a breakout performance later this year,” Korsgren says.

Teamwork in Action

A crucial moment during the Bad Gastein race was the team effort. Persson highlights the support he received from his teammate and captain, “Affe,” particularly during the second sprint.

“He disrupted the others and created an opening that made it easier for me to secure the sprint. It was truly a team effort,” emphasizes Persson.

Transitioning to Long-Distance Skiing

Persson’s shift to long-distance skiing involves improving his double-poling technique and endurance—essential skills for Ski Classics success. Although he hasn’t specifically trained for sprints, he believes his traditional sprint skiing background has been beneficial.

“The old skills are second nature. It’s about finding positions and quickly changing pace, which is crucial in long-distance skiing,” he says.

This year, Persson’s sights are set solely on long-distance events, with no plans to compete in traditional races.

“For now, it’s all about Ski Classics. Next year, I’ll consider whether an Olympic focus is realistic. But this year, it’s all about long-distance skiing,” Persson explains, adding:

“I want to excel in double-poling and long-distance racing. Traditional skiing is for others now. I just hope they do well,” he concludes.

A Bright Future

Anton Persson’s transition from traditional skiing to long-distance racing has already shown promising results. With a strong season start, the future looks bright for the former sprint specialist from Torsby.

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