PHOTO: TT News Agency
Who is actually the best Swedish skier of all time?
There are a few to choose from.
But Gunde Svan has an unexpected answer.
Gunde Swan himself is one of the world’s most successful cross-country skiers of all time. He was active between 1982 and 1991, ending his professional skiing career already at the age of 29.
Gunde’s successes
During his relatively short career, Gunde still managed to accumulate a solid track record. In two Olympic participations, there were a total of six medals, of which four were gold. Svan participated in four WCs, and at them he won an incredible eleven medals, seven of which were gold. In the World Cup, Gunde completed eight seasons. In the eight there were 30 victories, 46 podium places, and five(!) overall victories.
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It is an absolutely incredible conclusion. Gunde has therefore been hailed as Swedish skiing’s best ever. But so has his old companion Thomas Wassberg became, who won four Olympic medals and seven World Cup medals. Another who has been Svan’s sparring partner, and who can also be mentioned in the discussion, is Square Mature. An Olympic medal and nine World Cup medals is certainly not bad.
Best ever
At the same time, on the women’s side, Sweden has had fantastic skaters such as Charlotte Kalla and Toini Gustafsson Rönnlund. In addition, we have one of our best generations of riders right now with us Ebba Andersson, Jonna Sundling, Frida Karlsson and more, which will one day be written in the history books.
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So who is actually the best Swedish skater of all time? Not quite easy, thinks Gunde Svan – who likes to highlight himself as number one.
– It depends on how you count, of course. Today, there are many more chances, for example, than they had before in the world, before my time and so on. Nowadays it’s even more, with sprints and everything, so it’s hard to compare, he tells Sportbibeln.
– Of course, I’m pretty good at that statistic, but it’s a little different.
READ MORE: SVT expert Anders Blomquist’s clever answer to the unexpected question – that’s why he nods Gunde Svan for Torgny Mogren
Wassberg too
Do you see Thomas Wassberg as a contender for the title of best skier of all time?
– Yes, absolutely, absolutely. And I was terrified when Thomas quit after Calgary there (Olympic Games in Calgary 1988). How could I motivate myself and continue, with carrying the Swedish flag on my own machine, all by myself. It’s always nice to be able to share that load with someone else. Then Torgny Mogren came and had to take the role instead, which Thomas had, says Gunde.
Who do you think is the best Swedish skier ever? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Gunde Svan names the best skier on the women’s side – nodding both Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson
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