PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Charlotte Kalla has put the boots on the shelf for good.
But now there is still a small opening back to cross-country skiing.
– She would not hesitate, says former national team colleague Ebba Andersson to SportExpressen.
The Swedish national ski team is preparing for yet another new winter season. But for the first time in 16 years, you are forced to do it without a certain one Charlotte Kalla.
Called farewell
The 35-year-old said goodbye to the skiing world this spring and will now be incredibly missed. After 9 Olympic medals, 13 World Cup medals and a whopping 59 individual podium places in the World Cup, the Swedish national team hero has put his boots on the shelf for good.
Instead, significantly younger people get abilities like Frida Karlsson, Lynn Svahn, Maja Dahlqvist and Ebba Andersson continue to carry the Swedish flag in Kalla’s absence. Above all, the latter will miss the experienced national team colleague.
Become a mentor
Andersson has repeatedly highlighted Charlotte Kalla as a great role model for her skiing career. Now the 25-year-old admits that the role model will continue to play a big role in her continued venture.
Then Charlotte Kalla has had a small opening to be able to return to skiing again – as a mentor to Ebba Andersson.
– Absolutely, I am in contact with Charlotte. It’s a good friend that I like to talk to, says Ebba to SportExpressen and continues:
– During all the years she has been part of the team, Charlotte has been a person with whom I have shared a lot of thoughts and shared experiences.
“Do not hesitate”
But how developed and frequent the mentorship will be remains to be seen. Regardless, Ebba Andersson is sure that Charlotte Kalla will be there for her in the future.
– She would not hesitate to come up with input and advice if there was anything. She is so busty – and she has been all these years, says the 25-year-old to the evening newspaper.
This year, Andersson enters his seventh season in the World Cup and can boast 28 individual podiums so far. In addition, has 2 Olympic medals and 4 World Cup medals at home in the prize cabinet.
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