PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Motherhood, autobiography, rehab training and a lot of enjoyment in avoiding sweaty max tests.
This is what Charlotte Kalla’s new life looks like as a skiing pensioner – and parent of small children.
– I am so happy every single day that I get to discover more and get to know Alvin even better, she says.
March 28, 2022 crossed Charlotte Kalla a finish line for the last time as an active cross-country skier. The SC bronze in the three-mile in Piteå marked the end of a long and successful career where the great talent from Tärendö became Sweden’s most successful female Olympian. What does she miss most when she looks back?
– It is when you see the pictures from the Vålådalen or Livigno (during the pre-season). I get to talk to those who are left in the skiing world… It was the same when I was at Therese’s (Johaug) bachelorette party and I got to meet many people who left, there are many memories. You are drawn to all the experiences you have had, she says.
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She describes it as a luxury to be able to know well in advance when and where you would be able to hang out with your skiing buddies. Something that is more difficult now after the career.
– We live in many different places in Sweden. How are we going to hang out now more than just by phone? I’m a bit bad at that sometimes, when life is spinning.
What do you miss least about your time as a skier?
– I don’t miss the maximum tests and the worry about how they will go, laughs Kalla.
– And then the actual analyzes of the maximum tests.
Called mother’s happiness
There is no doubt about what is the biggest change since she ended her career. This summer she became a mother for the first time. Kalla says that during her career she felt a great deal of anxiety about not being able to become a mother, so it was both a relief and an enormous joy.
– It has been fantastic. It’s the biggest medal I’ve ever won. I am so happy every single day that I get to discover more and get to know Alvin even better.
Will you encourage him to go cross-country skiing?
– He will probably get to hang out a bit! He has already had to keep up with a lot that the parents feel good about. I think it is important. Even though it is clear that he is in charge of the agenda, you need to remember to take care of yourself.
Today, Kalla’s own sports mainly consist of rehab after giving birth. She is in contact with a physiotherapist and says she wants to be able to run and ski without having to listen too much to her body.
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She keeps up with what is happening in the skiing world that she has left, but last year she took a little break to be able to spend more time on other things.
– I didn’t want to book these hours in the middle of the day on the weekend just for the skiing. I want to be out and experience and discover with friends and family. Something I haven’t had the opportunity to do in recent years.
Even though a lot of time has been freed up, she still feels that she hasn’t had as much time left as she might have first thought.
– I thought I would stand and cook very long dinners, but there was quite a lot of other things booked.
Want to inspire others
Something else that Kalla has done is to have written an autobiography. Together with DN journalist Johan Esk, “Shame on those who give” was recently published. On November 16, the new podcast “Vinterpasset” was also released together with Jonna Sundling, Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg and Kjell Eriksson.
What will you be doing in ten years?
– I hope I can continue to inspire others to be brave. That was the main purpose of my book. What is important in my life? What can I do to change? So it goes in that direction.
Can you see yourself working with cross-country skis in some role?
– I really do not know. Skiing has given me so much. I want to give back to the sport – but in what form and at what level? I do not know.
Born: 22 July 1987 in Tärendö (age 36).
Main merits: Three Olympic golds (10 km freestyle 2010, relay 2014, skiathlon 2018), six Olympic silvers. Three WC gold (sprint relay 2011, 10 km freestyle 2015, relay 2019), six WC silver, four WC bronze.
Other: Victory in the Tour de Ski in 2008. Awarded the Jerring Prize in 2008 and the Bragdguldet (together with the relay team) in 2014.
Current: With the new autobiography, “Shame on those who give”, and the new podcast “Winter pass”.
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