“I’m very proud of it”

Leksand extended the winning streak beat AIK

There were no medals in the WC for Linn Svahn.
But she couldn’t have been more proud of her effort.
– It was not obvious that I would be back, she says.

Linn Svahn was for a long time a big question mark in the Swedish WC squad. Her shoulder injury kept her out of competition for a long time, and there were doubts as to whether the form was really there, as she barely competed in the World Cup during the winter.

The words about the WC success

In the end, the national team management chose to bring Svahn, and it would turn out to be absolutely right. Despite having barely competed in two years, and constantly struggling with a nagging shoulder, she did three races – and three fine performances.

230219 Linn Svahn of Sweden poses for a portrait at a press event with the Swedish Cross-Country Skiing team ahead of the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships on February 19, 2023 in Unterferlach. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN / code PA / PA0508

In the opening sprint she was fourth, and that was followed up with a sixteenth place in the skiathlon. Svahn is best known for being an explosive sprinter, but she also got the chance in the three mile – and it was a new fourth place. In retrospect, she feels satisfied that the shoulder worked so well.

– During the WC it has worked well, but I always have to manage it. That’s what I’m really proud of, that I’m able to both ride fast, short and ride long endurance, she says to langd.se.

READ MORE: The Swede’s unexpected defense of the Norwegian star – after the election that just about everyone hates: “I think it was right”

“Very proud of it”

Linn Svahn is generally only satisfied with her performance. When she gets to summarize her WC, the pride shines through.

– Yes, so first of all it was perhaps not obvious that I would be back at a championship. Secondly, I’m just as good at distance as I am at sprinting right now, she says.

230225 Linn Svahn of Sweden competes in the Women’s Cross Country Skiing Skiathlon during the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships on February 25, 2023 in Planica. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN / code PA / PA0520

Linn Svahn wants to leave the union she has been in, the one that she is only a sprinter. And she thinks she proved enough in the three-mile.

– I’m on my way to that ultimate hybrid I want to be, but like every race I’m getting better and soon that victory will come that I’ll have again before I reload for a new season, she says and continues:

– I am very proud of the championship, but I kind of want more. The season isn’t over yet.

READ MORE: Elvira Öberg condemns herself completely – honest words after the decisive setback: “It’s not reasonable”

spbln-sports