PHOTO: Bildbyrån
They are two of the biggest in Swedish sports.
But when Gunde Svan got the chance to get to know Ingemar Stenmark for real, he was shocked.
– I could never dream of it, Gunde said in an interview.
Few Swedish athletes can measure up to the giants Ingemar Stenmark and Gunde Tail tremendous success. Add to that the fact that they are incredibly popular and beloved around our country after their amazing sports careers and admirable personalities.
Swan impressed
They dominated their sport and had winning skulls like few others in the sporting world. Svan lined up gold medals with his skis and poles on level ground, while Stenmark became immortal with his skis and poles on steep inclines.
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Both sports icons were then met in a friendly visit by the TV4 program “In the head of Gunde Svan”, where the icons really got the chance to get to know each other more deeply. Gunde also admits that he was really surprised by “Steni’s” unknown side and that his image of the slalom legend changed completely.
– Many people perceive me as orderly, but if I compare with Ingemar, I am a real slouch, Gunde Svan has admitted after the recordings in an old interview with Expressen.
READ MORE: The time Peter Forsberg had a total playhouse with Gunde Svan – who just shouted straight out in frustration: “NO!”
Stenmark’s words
Stenmark also reveals in the 2016 TV show that he only had one perfect ride in his career, out of all the hundreds of wins over the years.
– I knew that Ingemar is a perfectionist, but I could never dream that he had a requirement specification that is so extreme, then I fade, Gunde Svan told the evening newspaper.
– That says a lot about the demands he has on himself: 86 World Cup winners, double OS gold and several WC medals, yet he has only done one ride that he is really happy with.
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Gunde Svan then and there became extremely fascinated by Ingemar Stenmark and admired his personality and unique talent as an athlete.
– I have never met anyone who is anywhere near as easy to learn as Ingemar. He has a gift that not many people have, that’s one thing for sure, said Svan after the TV recordings of the TV4 program.
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READ MORE: Patrik Järbyn outclasses Ingemar Stenmark in the most powerful display of all time at Mästarnas mäster