He is one of the world’s greatest talents.
But Alvar Myhlback did not get a place in the Swedish national skiing team.
Alvar Myhlback is coming off a winter where he focused mostly on cross-country skiing, but there is no doubting what a huge talent he is, and many are now hoping for the big breakthrough in traditional cross-country skiing as well. He has already made a big impression when in 2023 he received a dispensation to run the Vasaloppet – and sensationally finished eighth.
The decision about the talent
Now there were many who had believed – and hoped – that Myhlback would have a permanent place in the national skiing team’s squad for the coming season, especially considering that the WC in Trondheim, Norway, awaits. But when Sweden presented its squad yesterday, the super talent was not there, to the great surprise of many.
However, the national team said that it does not have to mean that he is not relevant for the WC, but that he is not yet ready for the regular national team.
– It’s great that Alvar wants to participate and invest in traditional skiing again. He has the junior world championship and maybe the senior world championship here this winter as well, says cross-country manager Anders Byström.
The flower’s honest words
But Anders Blomquist, expert at SVT, believes that the solution is promising.
– Alvar goes outside the box and I understand that it was a very difficult decision for the national team management to make. What does a venture together with Alvar look like? I think it is balanced, says Blomman in SVT, and continues:
– He is still a junior, he will be part of a junior national team with talented skaters, with skaters who can have fun together. He will get to train with the A team, get a challenge that he needs. He will also train with his Ski Classic team, which has given him so much and developed him.
Anders Blomquist says, however, that there are challenges.
– I think it can be good, but what matters is that it becomes a piece that holds together. That the A team, the junior team, and Lager 157 are connected, so that it leads him to develop and become a better skier. It can get messy, but he’s done it before, even though he’s so young.
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