Photo: Bildbyrån
Stina Nilsson has put the gun on the shelf and will run long-distance races this winter.
The premiere takes place on Sunday when she takes on the Klarälvsloppet on roller skis.
– It will be exciting to see her, says Klarälvsloppet’s CEO, Glenn Olsson, to the local newspaper VF.
Although she won both Olympic gold and World Cup gold as a cross-country skier, she eventually got tired Stina Nilsson31, on the sport. She wanted to try something new. In March 2020, she shocked the entire skiing world when she announced that she would switch to biathlon.
Got an unexpected proposal
Unfortunately, her venture into biathlon may not have turned out quite as she had imagined. After making quite a bit of rapid progress, she hit a plateau. The development stopped, she was poked in the biathlon national team and had to settle for harrowing in the IBU Cup. It was far from the world top that she was aiming for.
This spring, after just over four years as a biathlete, Stina Nilsson ended that chapter as well. Instead, the 31-year-old invests in long-distance races and Ski Classics. So another new (old) sport for Stina. She has also told us that the walking association got in touch and put forward a proposal – but she declined it kindly but firmly. She’s not a walker.
– I don’t see myself like that, no. There will be no investment going on. I wasn’t really that attracted. Somewhere it feels like cross-country skiing, biathlon and long-distance running, it’s branched out. But right now I can’t see ahead. But you should never say never!, she said in the podcast “Lagom Kondition”.
Petter Northug is also back
So it wasn’t a walking career, but rather a venture into long-distance running for Stina. The premiere of roller skis will now take place this weekend. On Sunday it’s the Klarälvsloppet on roller skis – 90 kilometers from Uddeholm to Karlstad. Värmland’s local newspaper VF writes that several profiles will be seen on the roads. In addition to Stina Nilsson will also come Peter Northugmaking a comeback in the ski track, to the start.
– We received very good signals from the teams early on that they are coming with full teams. It’s great that they plan this race and besides, there are many who have camps at the same time. It’s an incredibly good starting field, we have a high volume and it’s probably the strongest starting field we’ve ever had, says the competition’s CEO Glenn Olsson.
READ MORE: The new picture of Stina Nilsson that makes all Swedes yearn for a new winter – nice fitting: “It’s not spot-free”
When the newspaper asks which skaters Glenn Olsson thinks will be dangerous, he highlights this year’s Vasalopp winner on the women’s side. That Stina Nilsson walks in and shows where the cabinet should be right away is perhaps not so likely, but it will be exciting to see where she stands.
– There are many… But given that winter’s sovereign, Emelie Fletencomes, I keep her as a favorite on the women’s side. Then it will be incredibly fun and exciting to see what Stina Nilsson can do in her long-distance debut, he says.
How nice that you are back in cross-country skiing, Stina. This long-distance running thing might just be your thing. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you on Sunday!
What do you think of Stina’s new venture? Will it suit her better than biathlon? Please write a comment.
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