PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Stina Nilsson has had a very tough winter.
Now the Swedish biathlete receives stinging harsh criticism in neighboring Norway.
– It is simply too bad, says NRK expert Ola Lunde.
It has been a very tough winter too Stina Nilsson in the ski tracks on and the shooting range. Expectations were high that the Swede would get even closer to the top of the world this year and compete at the very highest level.
Nilsson’s winter
But instead, it has been the following modest placings in the World Cup for the 29-year-old: 42, 49, 35, 35, 33, 53, 58 and 64. Something that neither she nor the Swedish national team management are particularly happy with.
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During the last World Cup weekend in Pokljuka, Nilsson still impressed in terms of riding during the sprint and looked like he was in top form as a cross-country skier. But then there were five misses in total and Stina finished in a weak 64th place.
READ MORE: Stina Nilsson’s honest words about the future in biathlon – point out major problems: “It is most challenging”
Criticism of Stina
The Swedish biathlete now has to receive really harsh criticism in neighboring Norway after this tough season. NRK’s expert and Norway’s former national team captain Ola Lunde can’t understand how Nilsson can continue to gain confidence in the World Cup.
– I have to say that it surprises me, Lunde said live.
– She should not have been given the opportunity here. She’s had an absolutely miserable ride.
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Lunde then continued his reasoning with the fact that the Swede was over a minute behind on average in just the driving time during the three sprint races before the Christmas break.
– It is simply too bad a level, says the NRK expert in his clear criticism.
– She clearly does not have the level in her, she should be moved down to the IBU cup to compete a little and build a little self-confidence, says the colleague Harry Luchsinger.
READ MORE: Serious words in Norway for Frida Karlsson – after the nasty collapse: “Shows that she is not close to Johaug”
The Swedish answer
After the sprint race, Stina Nilsson actually revealed that she was not intended for the squad for the World Cup in Pokljuka, but that Hanna Öberg forced to decline due to illness. Also the national team coach John Luke admits that it didn’t go according to plan for Nilsson.
– It has not turned out exactly as we had imagined and not as she had expected herself, but it is very difficult and high level here, says Lukas to NRK.
After Mona Brorsson’s impressive effort in Sunday’s relay race for Sweden, Stina is now a big question mark before the Biathlon World Cup in February. Where the big question is whether she even gets to accompany Sweden’s WC squad to Oberhof, Germany.
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