The Swedish traditional cross-country skier made a big impression in his first season in the World Cup. Edvin Anger is now preparing for the upcoming winter, and his sights are set high.

“It feels very motivating to try to do everything a little better,” says 21-year-old Edvin Anger.

A year and a few months ago, Edvin Anger took the step from junior to senior rankings. By then, he had already become the Swedish sprint champion after an impressive race at the Swedish National Championships in Piteå at the end of March 2022.

His debut in the World Cup was in Ruka, Finland, at the end of November, where he made it to the sprint semi-finals. The following weekend, he reached the first World Cup final of his career, finishing fifth in Lillehammer. 

In the relay, he won the mixed relay in Falun, together with Moa Ilar, Calle Halfvarsson, and Jonna Sundling.

“I am very satisfied with my season, and above all, the way I got into the World Cup from the start and that I managed to stay there in such a good way,” says Edvin Anger to Langd.se.

One of the most exciting names in the Swedish traditional cross-country skiing scene has good years ahead. The next winter season is major championship-free, but then the World Championships in Trondheim 2025 awaits, the Olympics in Italy in 2026, and World Championships in Falun in 2027. In addition, there could be an Olympics in Sweden in 2030:

“I feel lucky to be part of this generation. There are many exciting championships to come. I already feel that I am at the very top up there fighting, and I look forward to staying there for a long time,” says Edvin Anger.

The sights are set for the coming winter:

“I’m really looking forward to the work I will do. Trying to do everything a little better after such a debut season in the World Cup is motivating. There was, or is, not much missing for it to be an even greater success.”

Which parts do you want to develop for the coming season?

“I think I need a little more capacity. It may have ‘cost’ a little too much to get to the final. I need more strength left for the final. So, building capacity with a little more training. Then it’s a lot about taking the first podium place. If the first one comes, more will come,” says Anger.

You made it to the semi-finals in your first World Cup sprint; the following weekend, you made it to the final. What did it mean to you?

“It gave me a lot of self-confidence and strength. It proved to me that it is possible. I showed myself that if I got there once, why can’t I get there again? Now I know I can make it to the final; it’s just the last step that’s missing. Once I step onto the podium, I prove I can. So, in the long term, I will be just as disappointed to come second because I want to win.”

Is the focus only on sprints, or will you focus on the longer distances too?

“It’s about being all-round. It creates the conditions for me to take another step, even in sprints. It is being able to be a little more persistent. Then I don’t see myself as only a sprinter. Now it will be 10 kilometers at the World Championships and the Olympics. That feels like an advantage to me. And I want to be an important part of our relay team. And then there is the mass start of many races. I like that. So, I bet on everything,” says Edvin Anger.

Here are Edvin Anger’s results for the sprints during the World Cup

• Ruka 12th place
• Lillehammer 4th place
• Beitostølen 19th place
• Davos 5th place
• Livigno 11th place
• Les Rousses 4th place
• Toblach 6th place
• Drammen 13th place
• Falun 7th place
• Tallinn 4th place
• Lahti (out in the semi-finals after a fall – later disqualified)

2023 World Championships in Planica 

• Quarter-finals – 29th place

See all international results for Edvin Anger here.

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