Frida Karlsson and Jonna Sundling no longer train together.
But sprint expert Sundling is not angry about it.
– I think it is absolutely right, she says of Karlsson’s choice.
The news hit like a bomb last spring. Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist chose to leave the Swedish national ski team’s training group completely. The duo has instead made their own investment before the new season, and thus receives no financial help, or use of the national team’s coach, during the pre-season.
Paying tribute to Frida
Dahlqvist and Karlsson will, just as usual, compete in the blue and yellow suit once the season starts, and then most things will be the same. But during the summer, many of the stars’ defection is affected. Jonna Sundling, the world’s best sprinter, does not have equally skilled skaters to spur against, but the fact is that they have actually done a couple of training sessions together anyway.
Frida Karlsson has recently moved to Östersund, where several Swedish stars live – including Jonna Sundling. During a training session this week, Jonna Sundling and Frida Karlsson were seen together during a ride with roller skis.
– That’s what’s so great about living here in Östersund, there are so many like-minded people and when you’re in the same place, you can just talk to each other and run intervals together or go out on a long run. It is worth its weight in gold, says Sundling to SVT.
“That is absolutely right”
Jonna Sundling thinks it was nice, and she doesn’t show any negative feelings about Karlsson choosing to leave the national team. On the contrary, she celebrates the stars’ decisions.
– It’s nice to be able to run into someone like that and maybe go for a ride together. You don’t always have to plan to train with someone like that. They have chosen a different path and are following their gut feeling, and I think that’s absolutely right, she says.
Jonna Sundling herself has been clear that she did not think about making the same decision, but she has not been completely satisfied with the choices made by the national team. She would, for example, have liked a high-altitude camp – which the national team said no to. She and her friend Emma Ribom then had to pay for a trip to Italy themselves, and also without a coach with them.
– What I may have missed is the high height then, but then I had to put it in myself and got it anyway. Otherwise, I have enjoyed myself very well, says Sundling.
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