After the Olympic bronze in Beijing 2022, Jesper Tjäder has not been on the lazy side. This winter has seen him win an X-Games competition in Colorado and a World Cup competition in Switzerland. This week he had further success with his first own event. The world’s freestyle elite were in place at the national arena in Åre, just a stone’s throw from Jesper Tjäder’s own home.
– It feels almost surreal to have your own event on home ground. I was born in Östersund and live in Åre, so it really is home. It was an obvious choice to hold the competition here, says an expectant Jesper Tjäder.
The support from home Sápmi
Jesper Tjäder describes Åre as a very special place. According to him, Jämtland is one of the absolute best places for skiing. He would have been happy to stay in his home region for the whole season if it wasn’t for all the international events that draw. But he tells SVT Sápmi that he feels and appreciates the support even when he is at a competition far from home.
– I feel that I get good support from Sápmi. Many people get in touch and think that what you are doing is good, says Jesper Tjäder.
He continues:
– Not many people ask about it, but of course I also represent Sápmi when I’m abroad. It is perhaps something that should be pushed even more – it would have been fun.
Won despite cracked boots
The competitions in Åre were decided in two days. Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland won the women’s class with 66 points against runner-up Kirsty Muir’s 55 points. The runner-up in the men’s class was Colby Stevenson with 77 points. However, the winner, the Norwegian Andreas Håtveit, made the biggest sensation when, despite cracked boots, he won a superior victory and collected a whopping 86 points.
Jesper Tjäder himself has no plans to slow down. When asked about future plans, he answers:
– Now you’ve got routine with three Olympics, so why not a fourth?