André Myhrer and Anja Pärson have dominated the whole season and were also the best in the final of SVT's reality competition, where hockey players Peter Forsberg and Danijela Rundqvist had to withdraw.
It feels powerful. There were no inexperienced competitors; it was tough competition all the way. We really had to fight hard, says André Myhrer.
Decisions under stress
Alpine stars have often achieved success in “Champions of Champions.” Anja Pärson believes this is because downhill skiers must be physically strong, be able to react quickly to unexpected events and make careful preparations.
We work really hard on making quick decisions under stress and adapting. We memorize the course beforehand and think through scenarios, and then we adapt based on the situation we are in, says Anja Pärson.
She sees the victory for the team as a victory for her sport.
Both André and I went in to show that alpine skiing is not really such an individual sport but that we are good team athletes. To win a World Cup competition in alpine skiing you need a team. It's the team that does it.
Most important
André Myhrer and Anja Pärson competed on the national team at the same time for a few years, but did not spend much time together during their careers because the women and men usually compete in World Cup competitions in different locations. “Champions of Champions” gave the two Olympic gold medallists the chance to really get to know each other.
The most important thing we won during "Champions of Champions" is the community we gained and that we really got to hang out and sit down and talk - and compete together, says Anja Pärson.
The filming of "Champions of Champions" took place last fall. André Myhrer and Anja Pärson have not yet received the winning trophy. For the first time, the competition was decided in teams, so what happens to the trophy?
Anja Pärson says she agrees to shared custody of the trophy.
"We'll see if it ends up in Umeå with Anja or if we have to cut it in two. Maybe we'll have a schedule," says André Myhrer, laughing.
