PHOTO: Bildbyrån
She has not competed in two years.
But now Charlotte Kalla will finally make a comeback in the tracks.
The Swedish skiing hero opens up about the nervousness before the return.
It was March 28, 2022 that we last saw Charlotte Kalla go forward in the ski tracks. In connection with the three-mile at the SM in Piteå that day, the Swedish skiing queen said goodbye to her active career.
Called a comeback
After a large number of Olympic and World Cup medals as well as the unforgettable Tour de Ski victory in 2008, Kalla had amassed a track record that makes her one of Swedish skiing’s greatest. Since the resignation, she has been busy in her everyday life and managed the TV4 program “Let’s Dance”, released a book about her life and became a mother for the first time in her life.
The article continues after the picture.
But now it’s time to put on a number plate again and return to the racing tracks for the first time in almost two years. When the 36-year-old will compete in the relay race at the Vasaloppet this weekend.
– I see this as a fun weekend together with the others in our team (Team Skistar Charlotte Kalla with Hans Olsson, Jesper Tjäder, Walter Wallberg and Maria Pietilä Holmner). The fact that we had this common goal with Stafettvasan has been a big reason why I got out on the track training sessions. It’s not easy to get the training in while on parental leave and a partner who works a lot. But I’ve had Alvin in the sled and I’ve been able to skate. I am very grateful for that. Classic is clearly more difficult with sledding, so I’ve been able to do a classic session this week, I’ve been very satisfied, says Charlotte to langd.se and admits that she’s still nervous.
– Yes, but not in the same way as before. Now it’s more about the nerves to make sure we have all the things the family needs with us. Alvin must be fine even when I have the number plate on me.
Charlotte’s words
Of course, there will be a lot of focus on the first relay in the Relay Vase when an Olympic and World Cup gold hero stands on the starting line. And many will probably want to beat the ski legend in his tracks.
– So it was something that I was aware of. If I stand on a starting line with skis and a number plate, it will attract eyes. But others will have to make those comparisons. My goal is to enjoy the 25 kilometers. And I have already decided that I will drive with a bracket, says Kalla in the interview.
The article continues after the picture.
Charlotte Kalla may have done everything as a cross-country skier and won the most, but she has never competed in the Vasaloppet. Now she gives tips to other debutants who will ride the classic race for the first time.
– I know that Hanna and Elvira (Öberg) said in our podcast “Vinterpasset” that their former coach Wolfgang Pichler said that in the last week you can only do too much. Doing something extra like that when there are five days left is not a good idea; then be careful with your sleep and finally don’t try a lot of new things. Drive it as you did before, says the 36-year-old to the ski site.
Surely it will be fun to see Charlotte Kalla on the ski tracks again? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson reveals great concerns before the World Cup – now admits what everyone has missed: “It’s hell”
Sign up for our newsletter
Share