PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Jonna Sundling and Calle Halfvarsson made a big impression during the World Cup in Falun.
The national team stars were the two best Swedes at home and were also rewarded for it.
Now both choose to donate the prize money in a heartwarming gesture.
The WC gold hero Jonna Sundling has really maintained his great form from after the championship in Planica and lined up podiums at the World Cup in recent weeks. Although it has been three consecutive second places after losing sprint duels against the Norwegian Kristine Stavå’s Ski City.
Sundling winner
But at home in Falun this past weekend, Sundling got to stand at the top of the podium again. Together with the teammates Moa Ilar, Edwin Anger and Calle Halfvarsson after Sweden won the mixed relay in the world cup race on Swedish soil.
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Both Sundling and Halfvarsson were also named the best Swedish skiers during the World Cup weekend and received the “Hejapriset” from the Swedish Skiing Association, together with the main sponsor Svenska Spel.
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Halfvarsson’s gesture
Now both national team stars choose to donate the prize money to their parent clubs in an admirable gesture. Where Sundling chooses to donate his almost 30,000 kroner to Tvärålund SK to help the association’s youth activities.
– Tvärålunds IF laid the foundation for my interest in skiing and my career, so it feels good to be able to give back a little. Without their support and commitment, I wouldn’t be where I am today, Jonna says in a press release on the Swedish Skiing Association’s official website.
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While Halfvarsson donates his almost 30,000 kroner in prize money to Sågmyra SK, where it all started as a small boy.
– It’s fun that I get the chance to give back to the club and I hope it can come in handy for our future ski stars, says Calle in a statement and is both grateful and proud to receive the Cheer Award in Falun.
READ MORE: Unexpected words in Norway after Jonna Sundling’s new loss – and clear irritation: “Understand that she is irritated”
The money obviously means a lot for a small club like Sågmyra.
– It means a lot that Calle thinks of us. He is an important role model and that means a lot to our association. We are currently building a club cabin at the facility here in Sågmyra where our younger skaters can hang out together. It might even be an extra training camp – and hopefully we’ll see Calle as a guest there, says Mats Hellbergchairman of Sågmyra SK, in the press release.
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