PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The prize money in the Biathlon World Cup was increased by 40 percent compared to last season. The Swedish stars brought in millions.
– The money is not the biggest carrot, but it provides security, says Hanna Öberg.
Hanna Öberg earned the most of the Swedes last season, above all depending on the WC successes with two individual golds and a silver. In total, she earned 2.4 million kroner.
– Money is not my biggest concern, but it gives me security. Should I miss any part of a season, I won’t be in a situation where I can’t afford to pay the loans on the house, she says.
Mostly from prize money
Partner Martin Ponsiluoma can also contribute to the loans at the house in the future, even if he would have a rough season after his hip injury. He was the one who earned the second most of the Swedes last season, almost SEK 2 million.
– They mean a lot. Without the money, it will be tough. I struggled for many years before I started getting results and then I didn’t have much to go around. In recent years, I have started to earn some money and feel that the investment is safe, he says.
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Many of the stars have big sponsors behind them, but Ponsiluoma says the prize money is what gives him the most.
“Can sleep well”
Linn Persson had her best season in terms of results last winter with three WC medals and was five times on the podium in the World Cup. In total, she earned almost SEK 1.5 million. After the season she had surgery on both her shoulder and groin and was unsure right up until the start of the season if she was ready to compete. Now last season’s prize money provides security.
– Especially this year when we will see how it will go. After all, I will be able to pay myself a salary in the future. The money allows me to sleep well at night, says Persson.
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The International Biathlon Union (IBU) increased the prize money last year by 40 percent and most of all for those below the top tier who both receive more and above all receive prize money at all (those from positions 21-30).
– At the beginning of the career, the prize money meant a lot so that you would have room to really invest in your sport full-time. And now I’m starting to think about retirement, I would say. Then the money is important. I’ve started studying a little, reading economics, otherwise I have no education, says Sebastian Samuelsson, who last season earned just under SEK 1.5 million.
Good weekend for Samuelsson
Elvira Öberg (1.9 million in prize money) also says that the prize money is important.
– They are the ones who pay my rent. I am grateful to be able to invest 100 percent in sports. There aren’t many women in Sweden who can be full-time athletes and feel secure about it, she says.
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This year’s season has just started, with mixed relays, single mixed relays and distance races in Östersund. Hanna Öberg and Sebastian Samuelsson won the mixed singles and each earned the equivalent of SEK 74,000. Samuelsson then earned another 51,000 in seventh place in distance.
The competitions in Östersund continue with relays in the coming days. Then there is a chance for the Swedes to earn more. Relay victories give the equivalent of almost SEK 75,000 each.
Johannes Thingnes Bø, Norway, won 19 of 23 individual races in the World Cup last season and took five golds at the World Cup. He earned a total of almost SEK 5.5 million, which is a record in biathlon. World Cup winner Julia Simon, France, earned the most among the ladies – SEK 3.5 million.
The price sums this season are the same as last winter. In the World Cup you get 15,000 euros (about 171,000 kroner) for an individual victory and for 30th place you get 200 euros (about 2,300 kroner).
READ MORE: Stina Nilsson’s first words after the big disappointment – now she admits her fear of the future: “I haven’t got it…”
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