PHOTO: Bildbyrån
They are two of Swedish skiing’s greatest promises for the future.
But now comes the shock news from Alvar Myhlback and Tove Ericsson.
Both of them choose to play for the Swedish national ski team.
Recently, the Swedish Skiing Association announced which skiers will represent the various national teams. Sweden also chose to expand its national team squads, in contrast to many other nations that slimmed down their squads due to economic reasons.
Nobbar Sweden
But two of Swedish skiing’s greatest future promises were completely missing. 17 year olds Alvar Myhlback and 20-year-olds Tove Ericsson have both chosen to turn down the Swedish national ski team and are now following a completely different path.
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Both great talents have instead chosen to sign for long-distance teams to continue their development towards the top of the world. This obviously comes as a huge setback for the national team management.
– Yes, it’s a shame that they don’t just want to join our business. But on the other hand, it is positive that there are other paths as well, says the national team manager Anders Byström to SportExpressen.
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The national team’s response
Ericsson has signed a one-year contract with Team Engcon and Myhlback has extended with team Lager 157 in the Ski Classics long-distance cup.
– In Tove’s case, I have understood that she signed up for Team Engcon even before the selections were ready for us. So then it was as it was, says the national team manager in the interview.
– Alvar showed last season that he got good training with Lager 157. Now he has said that he wants to ride more traditionally this winter – and he absolutely has the opportunity to get the chance in the World Cup.
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Anders Byström also admits that Alvar Myhlback’s decision to take a place in the junior national team still does not affect his possibility of being selected for the Junior WC next winter. He is also not particularly worried about young skiing talents choosing long-distance skiing instead of traditional cross-country skiing.
– Then it must be so. You have to choose that yourself. We cannot force anyone to ride traditionally. It’s not like we stand and fall with some choosing other options, he says to the evening newspaper.
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