Last season, Calle Halfvarsson had to wait until the end before getting a place at the Olympics. Before the World Championships, he already got the green light for the competitions in Planica.

Last Tuesday, the first names of the Swedish National Team for the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, were presented. In the preliminary nomination, only three men were included; one of them was Calle Halfvarsson, who, thanks to his good performance early in the season, already got a green light. 

During the National Team’s press conference, Halfvarsson said:

“It’s nice to get it on paper. I am ready and can focus on the World Championships now and not feel any stress.”

The start of the season has been the best in years for Calle Halfvarsson. In Beitostølen, he was on the podium in the classic sprint. When the time comes for the same discipline in the World Championships, he sees it as his most significant chance for a medal during the competitions.

“I have felt very good in the classic sprints I have raced. The sprint could be the biggest medal hope. If I do the right things and there are no problems, I can fight for top places.”

Calle still needs to get an individual World Championships medal, and for Planica, the goal is set.

“Of course, the goal is to make it to the final in the sprint. Once I make it to the final, it often goes very well. The critical situation is often for me to get on from the quarter, then it usually just gets better and better.”

But it is not only in the sprint that Calle Halfvarsson wants to race in the World Championships. He also wants to start the longer distances and has high expectations in those races.

“I have big goals in all the distances I race. I will go to win my very first individual medal.”

During the press conference, Calle Halfvarsson was asked if he was surprised that there were only three men selected for the preliminary team. To that question, he answered:

“I think it is absolutely right. There are three of us who have had very high positions, and it is wrong to take out a large squad right away, but it is better to keep at it. It will be difficult for some, but if you haven’t performed, and it was the same for me last year, if I don’t perform, they hold on to the Tour de Ski or the competitions that become selection competitions. Quite right that you don’t take out too many, but take out those who have performed.”

Part of the build-up before the World Championships will be to race the Tour de Ski. Unlike several national team colleagues who prepare at high altitude in Davos, Halfvarsson will celebrate Christmas at home in Sweden and go down to Val Müstair, where the Tour starts, without any high-altitude preparations.

See below the complete program for the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia.

FACTS Planica World Championships Season 2022/2023

• When: Tuesday, February 21 to Sunday, March 5, 2023 
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Planica, Slovenia
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Championships in Planica, Slovenia

 Planica 2023 – Cross-Country Skiing Complete Program

February 21, Tuesday

• 20:23 Opening Ceremony, Planica Nordic Park Kranjska Gora

February 22, Wednesday

• 12:00 Women’s Qualification race, 5km freestyle
• 13:30 Men’s Qualification race, 10km freestyle

February 23, Thursday

• 12:00 Women/Men Sprint qualification, classic
• 14:30 Women/Men Sprint finals, classic

February 24, Friday

• 15:30 Men’s Skiathlon, 15/15km

February 25, Saturday

• 14:00 Women’s Skiathlon, 7.5km/7.5km

February 26, Sunday

• 11:30 Women/Men Team Sprint qualification, freestyle
• 13:30 Women/Men Team Sprint finals, freestyle

February 27, Monday 

• Day Off

February 28, Tuesday

• 12:30 Women’s Individual, 10km freestyle

March 1, Wednesday

• 12:30 Men’s Individual, 15km freestyle

March 2, Thursday 

• 12:30 Women’s Relay, 4x5km classic/freestyle

March 3, Friday

• 12:30 Men’s Relay, 4x10km classic/freestyle

March 4, Saturday

• 12:00 Women’s Mass Start, 30km classic

March 5, Sunday

• 12:00 Men’s Mass Start, 50km classic
• After the competition – Medal and Closing Ceremony

Read More: 2023 World Championships Program Is Ready