She remembers the World Championships in Falun 2015 as a rolling, boiling sea. Back then, she was part of the audience. Now she is set to compete for medals. “I am ready and want to contribute to a festival atmosphere,” says Maja Dahlqvist.

Maja Dahlqvist has been a regular on the podium at major international championships since 2019. She hasn’t left a championship without a medal since winning the sprint relay alongside Stina Nilsson at the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld. However, the individual gold still eludes her.

“Of course, that’s the dream, but to succeed, you have to take risks,” says Maja Dahlqvist, who at 32 is becoming something of a veteran in the Swedish cross-country skiing team.

Bought a house in Falun

A few weeks ago, Borlänge native Maja Dahlqvist purchased a house in the World Championship host city of Falun. She has been appointed an ambassador for the championships and plans to move to Falun in the spring. This summer, she will marry her partner Kevin Bolger.

The upcoming season may be her last as a professional athlete.

“We’ll see after this season. But it feels good to be where I am in life right now. I have been healthy and injury-free over the summer and am ready for the World Championships,” says a calm Dahlqvist as the national team gathers in Stockholm for the season kickoff, and we have a chance to chat with her.

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“Absolutely crazy atmosphere”

Memories from the 2015 World Championships are still fresh.

“What I remember most is not the results, but the feeling of being there. I don’t remember which races I attended, but I remember the incredible atmosphere. I stood far away along the course in the fourth row, and it was absolutely crazy.”

At that time, she had just graduated from ski high school and was at the very beginning of what has become a long and successful career as a professional athlete.

“I was a bit too young to compete for the national team back then. I went off to compete in the Scandinavian Cup instead,” says Maja Dahlqvist with a smile.

“A celebration for everyone”

She sees her ambassadorship for the World Championships in Falun as a great honor. She shares this role with national teammate Truls Gisselman and ski jumper Frida Westman.

“I want to contribute everything I can to make it a celebration for everyone who is there. I envision beautiful tracks and nice weather.”

How do you think it will feel to compete in a World Championship that literally takes place in your hometown?

“It’s hard to put into words, and it’s difficult to imagine before you experience it. Even though I was there watching in 2015, it will be something completely different to compete.”

With just a few months until the championships, Maja Dahlqvist exudes calm and confidence, perhaps largely due to her extensive experience and the fact that her trophy cabinet is already filled with World and Olympic medals.

“No one can take those medals away from me, so I can dare to go for gold in the individual sprint. To do that, you have to take risks – in the quarterfinals, in the semifinals, and in the final’s last hill. That’s the big difference between going for gold and just a medal.”

Enjoys competing frequently

Maja Dahlqvist plans to compete fully leading up to the World Championships.

“I really enjoy competing and don’t want too much time to pass between races. It has worked for me in previous years, so I aim to participate in the entire World Cup and the Tour de Ski.”

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But she adds.

“It’s not certain that I will get a start in the distance races; I am aware of that. It’s not easy with the athletes we have in the national team.”

The World Championships in Falun will take place from February 24 to March 7, 2027.

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