The three Swedish cross-country skiing stars, Linn Svahn, Maja Dahlqvist, and Frida Karlsson, have already expressed their desire to return to the national team. The dialogue with the national team management is now underway as part of setting up the national teams for next season.  

Want To Avoid Chaos And Misunderstandings

Nobody wants the chaos and circus that unfolded in connection with the ski stars being out of the Swedish national team last spring.

At the weekend, there was an important meeting where the “outsiders” and the remaining women’s national team skiers met the Swedish cross-country manager Lars Öberg. 

The athletes presented how they envision how they want the team to work in the coming season.  

“We must create a better environment where the skiers know that they are seen, heard, and confirmed,” says the cross-country manager to Expressen. 

“It was a very good meeting. It feels like we all have the same goal: that all the best should be in the national team,” says Öberg, and continues: 

“It was very nice to hear how they have really sat down and analyzed which areas they can contribute to improving the business.” 

Four Key Points

The national team manager openly told what was on the agenda for the meeting at the weekend, where almost all of the women’s national team skiers took part. The exception was Moa Ilar and Frida Karlsson, who participated via video link. 

After the turbulence surrounding the skiing stars’ exit last year, the national team management promised a review of the national team model and the national team’s operations. During that process, the national team management has exemplified four central points based on what the skiers have raised with the management. 

In connection with last week’s meeting, Öberg presented the status:  

The National Team Model 

• “We must keep it. We see no better alternatives than this model in other countries or sports.” 

Communication 

• “We need to improve it. It is quite clear. It applies between the skiers, coaches, private coaches, and managers.”

Flexibility 

• “Yes, we need to look at more flexible solutions for national team members, with opportunities for more individual arrangements. It must be developed.”

Economy 

• “We must look at the financial incentives and work long-term to improve.”