Stina Nilsson has left biathlon.
Now the national ski team comes with a clear message about her.
– Then she will be really exciting, says national team manager Anders Byström to Expressen.
Stina Nilsson was for a few years the world’s best sprinter, and a given part of the Swedish national skiing team. She reaped great success at major championships, dominated at times in the World Cup, and at the same time was a giant as soon as the baton was waved.
The shocking message from the national team
Therefore, it was surprising to say the least when she chose to leave the sport for a new venture in biathlon. But with hindsight, it is not possible to summarize the time as hugely successful. After several years where Nilsson was mostly allowed to compete in the IBU Cup, and where she was pushed from both the Olympics and the WC, Nilsson has chosen to end the venture. Now, instead, she will go wholeheartedly for long runs and Ski Classics.
And it also, somewhat sensationally, opens the door for Stina to participate in the WC in cross-country skiing next year. Several cross-country skiers have done well in the World Cup in cross-country skiing in recent years, and with Nilsson now switching to the “right” sport, even if it is primarily for longer distances, Anders Byström believes that Nilsson is up for taking a place in the WC next year.
– Suddenly she can find something and be back like the old Stina in cross-country skiing. Then it will be really exciting, says Byström to Expressen.
“One must remember…”
In order for Stina Nilsson to be able to take a place at the WC, which starts in Trondheim, she needs to prove herself on shorter distances, and not just in Ski Classics.
– Stina obviously has to ride some kind of selection race to join, then it’s not possible to just ride Ski Classics, says Byström.
Anders Byström also raises a finger of warning for anyone who thinks success is a given. The Swedish national ski team has managed to get better during the years that Nilsson invested in biathlon.
– At the same time, you have to remember that the competition is much tougher today than when she was last in the national team, he says, and continues:
– And I think we should all also have reasonable expectations of Stina. Entering the Ski Classics is no joke.
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