He himself believes that it is a matter of “tricking the body” when he now ascends to a higher altitude before this weekend’s competitions in Antholz.
Sebastian Samuelsson has not made the decision to stay at the height of the competition either.
– It is a very short time for us to prepare for the altitude. Then I realized that for me it is better to live low and go up and compete. I don’t have time to acclimatize otherwise. Towards the Olympics next year, we are at a height so long before, then it doesn’t matter. Now it will be too tight before, he says.
But that is not the only factor that Sebastian Samuelsson weighed into his conditions this weekend.
For the first time, the 27-year-old is bringing the whole family, i.e. love Linnéa and the couple’s eight-month-old daughter Elsa, to a World Cup competition.
– It is the perfect combination, to be a biathlete and compete in the World Cup, which I love, but also to have the family there. I am very grateful that it can be done.
“Being happy – so far”
But that doesn’t make him shake any routines before the competitions.
– It is important to try to keep them this week as well. We have separate rooms and such. I can be a father but also focus on the competitions. Then I will stay here next week, then I will be more of a father, says Samuelsson.
He himself has published a picture of Instagram where he has his daughter in a pram with him on the ski track during the week.
– It was actually on the footpath next to the tracks. I took a picture, then jumped into the ski track.
But Samuelsson feels no extra pressure to perform with his family there.
– I don’t feel any pressure, it’s just fun. She gets happy when she sees me, so far anyway, he says.