On Thursday, the Biathlon World Cup continues in Antholz, Italy.
Then Stina Nilsson will once again take a place in the squad – but only as a reserve.
– The reason why she is there as a reserve is that Elvira is ill, says shooting coach Johan Hagström to SVT Sport.
During the previous weekend in German Ruhpolding was Stina Nilsson poked from the Swedish squad, and instead she had to focus on driving in the IBU Cup. But when the World Cup this week rolls on to Italy and Antholz, the 29-year-old will once again take a place in the squad, but only as a reserve.
Stina with as reserve
The Swedish star Elvira Öberg was forced to sit out both the relay and the mass start in Ruhpolding because she didn’t feel quite in her body, but despite that she is in the squad that goes to Antholz.
– We do not want to field a team that is not complete. Stina will train on site if Elvira starts. Then she gets good high-altitude training, says the trainer Johan Hagström to SVT Sport.
– The reason why she is there as a reserve is that Elvira is ill. It is very uncertain if Elvira will start.
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Hagström continues:
– Elvira went to Antholz yesterday. She lives in the lowlands, not at the height where everyone else lives. It’s so she can get well faster. She still has a slight cold. Hopefully it will carry over to race day.
Another skater who is in the squad is Mona Brorssonwho can be seen as the very biggest competitor to Stina Nilsson in the fight for the last place in the WC squad.
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“An even fight”
Also the talent Tilda Johansson23, is in the regular squad and thus makes his debut season debut in the World Cup.
– That Tilda would be allowed to go to Antholz was already known. When we selected the World Cup team after Christmas, we also selected Tilda for the team in Antholz. As for Mona, she performed well in the IBU Cup and then in the World Cup. So then she can continue competing, says Hagström.
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The weekend is the last before the WC in Oberhof, which starts on February 8. In the ladies’ squad, the sisters get Hanna Öberg and Elvira Öberg as well Lynn Persson and Anna Magnusson seen as a given.
– The last place is often a bit tricky to add. All the girls still have the chance to take that place. It all depends on how this week goes. Then we sum up that week and also previous weeks when we select the last WC rider. It’s an even fight, concludes Johan Hagström.
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