Val di Fiemme, Italy – The Swedish cross-country skiing team arrives at the Olympic venue with a quiet confidence rarely seen in recent Games, fueled by a dominant performance at last year’s World Championships and a shifting landscape in the sport. While the Winter Games in Beijing proved disappointing, the conditions in Italy present a starkly different opportunity for a medal haul, potentially transforming the Olympics into a showcase of Swedish dominance.
The program begins today, , with the women’s skiathlon and continues through . Coverage will be available on SVT/SVT Play and P4 Radiosporten, offering Swedish fans ample opportunity to follow their team’s progress.
A key factor in Sweden’s renewed optimism is the apparent struggle of Norway to navigate a generational transition. The limited participation of Russian athletes – with only a few competing as neutral athletes – alters the competitive dynamic. But the primary drivers of Sweden’s potential success are the formidable quartet of Ebba Andersson, Jonna Sundling, Frida Karlsson, and Moa Ilar. The prospect of all four contending for gold in every race is not far-fetched.
The team’s demeanor leading up to the Games has been notably relaxed, a contrast to the tense atmosphere surrounding previous Swedish medal hopefuls. Charlotte Kalla, Stina Nilsson, Johan Olsson, and Marcus Hellner, all past champions, approached major championships with a guarded intensity, seemingly burdened by the weight of expectation. This current Swedish team, however, appears to embrace the pressure with a more carefree attitude, suggesting a belief in their preparation and a healthy perspective on the outcome.
Jonna Sundling, in particular, stands out as a strong gold medal favorite. Her success in Beijing – winning gold in the sprint, silver in the sprint relay, and bronze in the relay – demonstrated her championship pedigree. However, the looming challenge comes from American Jessie Diggins, who is competing in her final championship before retirement. Diggins, known for her resilience and tactical racing, is a formidable opponent, and her emotional openness about her struggles with bulimia and concerns for loved ones back home adds another layer to her story.
The conditions in Val di Fiemme, familiar to most skiers as the annual host of the Tour de Ski’s final stage, will be crucial. The sprint course is identical to the one used in early January, providing the athletes with valuable recent experience. However, the biggest threat to Swedish success isn’t necessarily the competition, but the weather. Unpredictable conditions could disrupt wax strategies and level the playing field, potentially negating the team’s meticulous preparation.
The importance of waxing cannot be overstated. As one team member noted, the conditions are beginning to resemble those experienced at the Trondheim World Championships, where Sweden’s women swept all six gold medals. However, the team’s success hinges on their ability to select the correct skis for the ever-changing snow. The skiathlon, with its combination of classic and skate techniques, presents a particularly complex challenge.
The absence of Therese Johaug, a dominant force in women’s cross-country skiing, also reshapes the competitive landscape. Johaug’s aggressive racing style often dictated the pace of races, and her absence leaves a void that other athletes will attempt to fill. Diggins and Sundling are expected to be among those vying for control, with Sundling’s signature “hopskejt” – a dynamic skating technique – potentially proving decisive in the final climb.
The Swedish team’s confidence is palpable. During a recent ski test in increasingly wet snow, Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson expressed their satisfaction with the conditions. Their wax technician, Thomas “Oljan” Eriksson, even remarked that the conditions were beginning to resemble those in Trondheim, a promising sign for the team.
An opening day without a Swedish medal would undoubtedly cast a shadow over the team’s prospects, despite optimistic forecasts. However, the team’s preparation, the shifting dynamics of the sport, and the athletes’ positive mindset suggest that Sweden is poised for a strong showing in Val di Fiemme. The hunt for gold has begun, and the Swedish team appears ready to seize the opportunity.
