PHOTO: TT News Agency
Sven-Åke Lundbäck follows today’s national ski team with accuracy.
But the legend is concerned about the future of the Swedish gentlemen.
– It looks poor. They are not enough, says Lundbäck in an interview with Sportbibeln.
Sven-Åke Lundbäck had its heyday on the ski slopes during the 1970s. The now 74-year-old Lundbäck then won Olympic gold in Sapporo in 1972, before taking double World Cup gold in 1978. He also managed to win the Vasaloppet in 1981, which was the last thing he did during his active years.
“Looks poor”
Today, Sven-Åke Lundbäck is retired, but of course he follows the skiing with great accuracy at home on the TV sofa.
– I follow it very closely, absolutely. Everything that includes having skis on your feet. I definitely do that now that you have time for it when you are retired, says Sven-Åke Lundbäck in an interview with Sportbibeln.
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But the legend is not very positive towards the Swedish lords.
– I am worried. We have William Poromaa which can be as good as you want, then we have Jens Burman and some other riders. But right now there aren’t enough of them, we don’t have that many distance skiers. It looks small compared to the ladies who have any number of them. Then what is it due to… Whether it is coincidence or something, it is difficult to say, says Lundbäck.
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Norwegian dominance
On the men’s side, the Norwegian riders have subscribed to wins and podiums, and the Norwegian dominance does not seem to be waning either. Rather the opposite.
– It’s sad to see, it’s only Norway everywhere. They are totally superior and we have seen that in the World Cup as well. It’s not fun, and it can ruin interest. We need to have Swedish skiers who are top and can take top positions, and we don’t have enough of them, says Sven-Åke Lundbäck.
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Lundbäck believes that the dominance in the sport depends on the culture and the availability of the snow.
– I think it depends on the ski culture that exists. There is snow all over the country, even in Oslo where many people live. Then it’s very easy to get to Holmenkollen, for example, and then you’re suddenly there and can train as much as you like. Then the Norwegians do well, that’s how it is.
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