PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Alvar Myhlback continues to impress for his young age.
As a kind of mentor, he has the skiing legend Petter Northug.
Now Myhlback gives new details about the relationship with the Norwegian.
Alvar Myhlback, 17, is seen as the biggest Swedish skiing talent right now. And one of the greatest talents in the world, maybe even the greatest even there. As a 16-year-old, he received a dispensation to participate in the Vasaloppet, and finished eighth. A performance that caused the competition to change the rules around the age limit.
Myhlback’s role model
This summer, the guy from Bjursås has continued to impress in races and competitions in roller skis. Among other things, Alvar came third in the pursuit start during the Top Sports Week in Norway, just beaten by Simen Hegstad Krüger and Johannes Hösflot Kläbo.
Myhlback has a number of connections to Norway in particular. One of his biggest role models is the Norwegian middle distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen. At the age of 17, the Norwegian won EC gold in both 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters in Berlin 2018.
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A big goal for Myhlback is to make it to the WC 2025 in Trondheim. Once there, the goal is to get a medal. Which is one of the reasons Alvar looks up to Ingebrigtsen so much, that he won medals at such a young age.
– You see that you can be very good when you are young. And it’s inspiring to see others do it too. You know that it is by no means impossible to do so. I hope it’s realistic. Then you never know. I just have to do everything I can to get there, and then it’s not a disaster if it doesn’t happen. It’s a small goal, at least, he tells TV 2.
Northug’s Tribute
Myhlback also has the connection to Norway in the form of Peter Northug, one of the best cross-country skiers of all time, acts as an advisor to the Swede. But despite the positive relationship with Norway and Norwegians, the 17-year-old becomes insane when he thinks about the advantage our neighboring country has had on the men’s side in ski championships in recent years.
– I get irritated and angry when I sit and watch TV. It’s not funny, he tells the Norwegian site.
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Myhlback has been highly praised by his mentor Northug, who said, among other things, that the talent can become “a new Kläbo, one that wins everything”, as long as he stays on the right track. Now Alvar Northug pays tribute back.
– I can almost call him a friend. He gives a lot of good tips and is still a great and inspiring skier. It has been a dream to compete against him. He gives little tips all the time. It feels like he really wants to help, and I think that’s really cool.
READ MORE: Gunde Svan’s relationship with Petter Northug completely changed after the Norwegian’s behavior: “I was terrified”
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