Last year, Alvar Myhlback, 17, wrote Vasaloppshistoria – this year he intends to be there and fight for the victory.
Before the ski classic, he takes the opportunity to send a greeting to the Norwegian legend Petter Northug.
– You will have to struggle if you are going to keep up with us!
The talent made its debut in the World Cup this winter, took double JVM gold and had top positions in the Ski Classics long-distance cup.
After the Vasaloppet, he hopes to go to the World Cup final in Falun.
This spring he is faced with a choice as a skier: Long-distance or traditional distances?
– It has only become more unclear after this season. It will be anxiety this spring to find out. Next year is the WC (Trondheim), which I want to take part in, at the same time I want to go to the Vasaloppet. I want to ride everything, says Alvar Myhlback.
“People are too bad”
He dreams of winning WC gold and the Vasaloppet in the same year.
– No one has probably done that. That would be the dream. But I need a few more years on my neck before I do that. I like to do things that no one else has done before.
Is it possible to take WC gold and win the Vasaloppet in the same year?
– Yes, I think so.
Why hasn’t anyone done it before?
– People are too bad. There is a fairly simple answer to that question. It would have been fun to make it. But then you have to have extreme fluency twice, says the 17-year-old talent.
Greetings Northug
First he will ride the Vasaloppet. Last year he got a dispensation as a 16-year-old to ride the race and came eighth. The rules were then changed so that all 17-year-olds can start.
This year, Myhlback is aiming high and says that the form is at its peak.
– If I fight for the best positions, I will be satisfied with my performance, he says and then pays tribute to Petter Northug, a great role model.
– I like him. But on Sunday he is a competitor and I want him to finish behind me.
Alvar Myhlback is aware that Petter Northug is in good shape, and chooses to send a greeting to the Norwegian:
– Good luck on Sunday. But you will have to struggle if you are going to keep up with us!
ANDERS HANSSON/TT
TT
Lives: Bjursås.
Age: Turns 18 in March.
Achievements this winter: Was selected for the World Cup competitions in Gällivare and Östersund, but lost form. Took two JVM golds in Planica and last weekend came second in Ski Classics.
TT NEWS AGENCY
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