She is one of the world’s greatest talents – in both cross-country and biathlon.
Now Elsa Tänglander, 16, responds to Wolfgang Pichler’s outburst about her.
– I don’t care, she says.
It was last winter that 16-year-old Elsa Tänglander had a gigantic breakthrough. She then joined the exclusive Swedish crowd of skaters who have managed to win gold at the Youth Olympics, when she made a smash hit with a win in the sprint. But that was far from her only success.
Pichler’s play
Last winter, just weeks after the Youth Olympic gold in cross-country skiing, she won JVM gold in biathlon. Despite being two years younger than most of the participants in the championship, she won gold in the sprint, and she also made several good performances. And her achievements in both sports have, among other things, caused Wolfgang Pichler to react strongly.
After Tänglander, who is one of the world’s most talented skiers in two sports, won gold in cross-country skiing, Pichler, legendary coach of the Swedish national team, reacted strongly.
– It’s a big mistake, we can’t lose her. She has to do biathlon, she’s a super talent, he said.
The answer to the legend
Now the 16-year-old answers the demon coach. And Tänglander is clear that she has not yet made a choice about what sport it will be in the future.
– I think both are very fun, so right now I don’t have anyone that I really choose. But I cross-country ski, so that’s probably what comes first, she tells Radiosporten, and continues:
– If I have to choose right now, I would choose length. But you never know, it might change. But right now I think length is a bit more fun.
Wolfgang Pichler is not only a legend in Sweden, but also one of biathlon’s biggest profiles. However, the fact that he commented on the 16-year-old’s career choice is nothing that affects her.
– I don’t care too much about it, but it’s kind of fun that you’re so good that even Wolfgang makes a comment about it, she says.
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