PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The Swedish national ski team has set a new incredible record.
Nevertheless, strong criticism is bubbling up among our blue-yellow skaters.
Now national team star Linn Svahn strikes back with a clear answer.
In recent years, the Swedish national ski team has really established itself as a major power in cross-country skiing. Last ski season, an incredible record was broken with a whopping 52 blue-yellow podiums at the World Cup, the best ever achieved.
Sweden’s successes
The national ski team has also received a big bang in the coffers thanks to our Swedish successes on the ski tracks in recent years. But despite the great successes, the money back to the cross-country skiers has not been increased.
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Ever since 2021, the cross-country skiers’ World Cup bonuses have been the same, i.e. 50,000 kroner for first place, 30,000 kroner for second place and 20,000 kroner for third place. Next season there will be no change either, and that arouses strong feelings among the national team riders.
Svahn fights back
The experienced Calle Halfvarsson is one of the most critical that the bonuses have not increased in value.
– I think it’s boring. After all, we live in a sport where it is difficult for us active financially, there are only a few who can have it really well, he tells Expressen.
– But I can’t bear to put so much energy into that anymore. I just get irritated thinking about it, so it’s better for me to put that energy into training instead.
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But there are also the national team skaters who appreciate that the bonuses have not been increased. The Swedish skiing star Lynn Svahn is now fighting back against the criticism within the national team.
– For me, it is more important that we can go to camp in Italy for a few weeks, that we get to participate in deciding which places we are going to, she says to the evening newspaper.
– Strictly speaking, those who are on the podium still receive prize money from the International Ski Federation. And then bonuses just become even more money for a crowd that already has money.
Svahn also gets the support of his national team colleague Moa Ilar.
– I think it’s good. Those who are on the podium receive so many other bonuses, from suppliers and prize money from the International Ski Federation. So I don’t see anything strange about it, she says in a statement.
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