Linn Svahn had just had her big breakthrough – and got to meet her big idol.
Then she got an unexpected question from Petter Northug.
– I get to put my name on the map, she said.
Today, Linn Svahn is not only one of Sweden’s great skiing stars, but one of the biggest active in all sports included. She has an incredible track record in her already short career, and it’s not surprising that she became so successful. Already as a teenager, Svahn was highlighted as a great talent, and on December 14, 2019, it was time for the first start in the World Cup.
Huge breakthrough
And it couldn’t have gone much better. In her first real World Cup start, she showed the entire world elite what an enormous talent Sweden had produced. She won ahead of several international superstars, including the Norwegian Maiken Caspersen Falla, and the uproar was enormous.
But perhaps the biggest thing for Svahn was that her great childhood idol, Petter Northug, was there as an expert for TV2. And he was very impressed. Northug has been the big idol of many Swedish skiing stars, and Svahn is no exception. After the competitions, Svahn also had the honor of meeting Northug.
Odd question from Northug
And for Svahn, it wasn’t just any moment.
– I had posted a picture on Instagram four years ago when it was my greatest love in life, I was about to say. I was 16 years old and didn’t know any better, she said.
But perhaps she was not prepared for the question that she would get from Northug – namely whether she is actually related to Gunde Svan or not.
– He said congratulations and then we agreed that I was not Gunde’s daughter. Now people are starting to know that there are other Svahns than Gunde in Sweden. I get to put my name on the map.
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