Three weeks without competition.
Now Anders Blomquist is sentencing Jonna Sundling.
– There is a microscopic chance, says the SVT expert.
Sweden’s national ski team has been badly affected by diseases during the autumn and winter, and before the World Cup competitions in Gällivare, a whole series of skiers fell ill. Including superstar Jonna Sundling, who had high hopes of winning the overall World Cup, especially the sprint part of it, this season.
The flower’s harsh words
Jonna Sundling has not competed since November 26, during the premiere weekend in Ruka, and this weekend’s competitions in Norway were the third in a row she missed. Thus, she has fallen far behind in the fight to win the overall.
Sundling has said that the goal is to be back for the Tour de Ski, which starts in the middle days. But even that cannot be enough, says Anders Blomquist.
The SVT expert now believes that Sundling’s chances of winning the overall World Cup are “microscopic”.
– Yes, with this start… Will she not be healthy for the Tour de Ski, that’s for sure. Then there is no chance, even if she wins everything she will compete in eventually. Then the others are too far ahead, he tells SVT.
“Microscopic Chance”
Blomquist also believes that Sundling has a big challenge ahead of her – even if she gets healthy enough to participate in the Tour de Ski.
– If she can ride the Tour de Ski and against all odds after such a long period of illness perform well, then there is a microscopic chance. But in principle, her chances of winning the World Cup are all gone. On the other hand, there are chances to win many races, to continue to have a good season, but the World Cup as a whole is probably over.
Blomquist believes that the repeated illnesses for Sundling are becoming an increasing concern.
– I think she perceives it as a problem. She has had quite big problems with colds, quite early in her career. She had tonsil surgery and had a period when it felt like it worked better. But now after covid and with the viruses that are going around, she has had a lot of bad luck, alternatively she is a bit vulnerable there, says Anders Blomquist.
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