Jonna Sundling’s top results have been increasing considerably in recent winters. At the World Championships in Oberstdorf, she won gold in the sprint and team sprint.

The following season, it was time for a medal in each metal at the Olympics in Beijing (the gold came in the individual sprint), and last winter at the World Championships in Planica, she defended her gold from Oberstdorf. The only difference was that the gold in the team sprint came with Emma Ribom instead of Maja Dahlqvist.

Her performances in recent seasons are no less impressive, given her troubled start to the season.

During the Olympic season, she fell at the season opener in Gällivare and missed the start of the World Cup. Last winter, the absence was even longer:

“I was sick throughout November; of course, it is a nightmare to be sick for so long. You have to look for positive things. But you must accept the situation and make the best of it. When you have had such a long period of illness, you never know how you will be affected. But I go by feel, and the feeling is perfectly fine,” said Sundling at a press conference before the World Cup in Livigno. 

The competition, which took place on January 21, was won by Sundling, and it was the start of a great winter for the 28-year-old.

But the problems at the beginning of the season have meant that the possibilities for top results in the World Cup overall have been virtually impossible.

Next winter is known to have no major championships, and the goal is clear:

“Overall World Cup and Sprint Cup. Then I’m very much looking forward to the Tour de Ski,” said Sundling at a press conference earlier this week.

But in terms of training, there will be no significant differences compared to previous seasons.

“I will continue in the same way as I have done in recent years. I have made great progress in sprints and distance,” says Sundling, who, just like her national teammates, will have several opportunities to compete at home this winter.

Three Swedish cities are World Cup organizers, not least her hometown of Östersund:

“It feels very fun, and I know the tracks well. And Gällivare, as well as Östersund and Falun, have very nice courses,” says Sundling.

It is worth noting that no Swedish woman has won the World Cup overall. The closest was Marie-Helene Östlund (then Westin), who was second overall in 1987-88. Ebba Andersson has been third overall on two occasions (now Ebba Andersson mainly has her sights set on the Tour de Ski).