She won the season opener in Bruksvallarna last year and dominated the Junior Roller Ski World Championships in Madona last weekend. The 18-year-old from Västerås is one of Sweden’s biggest talents.

Johanna Holmberg competes for Östersunds SK, attends ski high school in Falun, but originally comes from Västerås.

Last season, the 18-year-old completed her second year as a junior, winning the season opener in Bruksvallarna, earning selection for the Youth Olympics, and reaching the podium in several races.

During the Swedish National Championships week in Norrköping earlier this summer, she took a medal in the senior class in the sprint.

Dominated the Junior Roller Ski World Championships

Last weekend, Johanna Holmberg dominated the Junior Roller Ski World Championships, leaving Madona with three gold medals and one bronze.

“I had a few medals from last year, but it’s always exciting coming to a championship with new competitors, so I didn’t want to set my expectations too high. But I was hoping to win at least one medal. When I got there, it turned out that my form was quite good,” said Johanna Holmberg to Langd.se.

What do you think laid the foundation for your success in Madona?
“I’ve managed good training this spring and early summer, so that’s a big part of it. And I got to race the entire roller ski World Cup last year. I think I learned a lot then—like how to approach the races.”

Is the plan to race the remaining stages of the roller ski World Cup too?
“Yes, if it fits with the training camp schedule, then that’s the plan. I’m in a really good position in the overall standings, so that’s really fun.”

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Sweden wins the junior women’s Team Sprint at the Madona Junior Roller Ski World Championships
Emilie Ruud Lia sprint winner at the Madona Junior Roller Ski World Championships
Johanna Holmberg wins at the Madona Junior Roller Ski World Championships
Johanna Holmberg wins Mass Start at the Madona Junior Roller Ski World Championships

Competed at the Youth Olympics

Johanna describes the last ski season as successful, despite some illness issues after a strong start.

“I think the season went very well—or it started really well with a sprint win at the opener in Bruksvallarna. And there was a big junior class, so we raced against the oldest juniors too,” she said and continued:
“Then came the cup races, and I made podiums. After that, I was selected for the Youth Olympics.”

Strongest in sprint

At the Youth Olympics, she fell ill, and the illness lingered through much of the season. Johanna was selected for the junior international match but had to withdraw.

Still, she ended the season with a third place in Kiruna during the cup finale.

Do you prefer sprint or distance?
“I really like both disciplines. But last season, the sprint went best. I’d probably say I’m strongest woman-against-woman, and there aren’t that many mass starts or pursuits in the winter. So, it ends up being the sprint that goes best.”

What are your goals for next season?
“Now I’m the youngest in my class again, so we’ll see how high I can place. But I hope for a good season where I stay consistent and deliver stable races,” Johanna Holmberg concludes.

Also Read: Roller Ski World Cup standings after Madona

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