Cross-country skier Robin Bryntesson competed in the World Cup until 2013.
Now he will ride the Vasaloppet to raise money for Ukraine – and he will do it in a different way, to say the least.
– I have a fairly short starting distance when it comes to different ideas, says Bryntesson to ski site Längd.se.
The cross-country skier Robin Bryntesson competed at the World Cup level up until 2013, and also continued to compete at the elite level for several years after that. Since he finished his elite venture, he has continued to be active in skiing. In 2019, he chose to start last in the Vasaloppet. The reason? To raise the issue of diabetes, which he has done for many years through his association Sockertoppen IF.
Nice gesture
As usual, the Vasaloppet starts on the first Sunday in March, and there Robin Bryntesson will start again. But he will do it in a slightly different way, this to collect money for Ukraine.
– I will go on specially made skis. That is to say that the bindings are “in the wrong direction”, and in addition we are turning the pole troughs around, says Bryntesson to Längd.se.
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Bryntesson continues:
– A few months ago I was at an event with Jimmy Hemmingsson at Human Rescue Ukraine where we talked about how we could raise money for Ukraine. Then came the idea of the Vasaloppet and riding backwards. And I’m such a person that I have a fairly short starting distance. I don’t think too much, but it’s easy to say yes and then you drive, says Bryntesson.
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“Hard times”
Riding backwards is not exactly something that Robin Bryntesson is used to, for understandable reasons.
– I think it fits well. But to answer the question, it’s probably a little. Very little. But until the time comes, I will have ridden so much that I will be able to handle it. But among the people I’ve talked to, not many believe I’ll make it. But I myself feel quite confident in the technology, he says.
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The background to the initiative is thus to collect money for the war-torn Ukraine.
– The money from the collection will therefore go to buy Swedish track wagons that are converted into ambulances to be able to get there and care for the injured, but also to be able to evacuate people from hard-to-reach places.
– These are difficult times to start a fundraiser given the current economic situation. But if there is something that you can contribute to be able to help the people from Ukraine from your own little corner, and I’m a little crazy, I want to try to help with what I can, says Robin Bryntesson.
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