Prior to the upcoming ski season, Calle Halfvarsson, 36, is creating his own setup outside of the national team.
I want to have more time at home and control my life. I am satisfied with the summer, but in the winter we will see if I made the right decision, he says.
Before Halfvarsson decided on his own setup, he spoke with Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist, who did the same thing in 2022.
I asked about various things. Among other things, how to attract personal sponsors in relation to the national team. What is right and wrong, and how it works, says Halfvarsson and explains that he has kept his personal sponsors and hired a personal manager.
Waives back surgery
Last winter, he got a herniated disc and the season was ruined. There was talk of an operation, which will not happen:
My herniated disc is on the wrong side and it is not convenient for a simple operation. It would be a major procedure. I have to do rehab and find other ways to get better, he says.
Halfvarsson explains that the back problem was one reason he chose his own setup outside of the national team:
Now I can completely adapt to what I need. In the national team, it's easy to get carried away with training with the others. You get drawn in and then it's easy for things to go off track.
Can stop his career
Halfvarsson admits that his back is a concern ahead of the season:
I worry a bit that it will come back. It's tough, but I cannot forget about my back, or it could come back as a shock. It's a lot.
The Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina in February and the World Championship at home in Falun in 2027 are his major goals, but Halfvarsson is prepared that his back may stop his career prematurely:
It would be really sad. Then it is what it is. This summer I have felt my back, but not much. I'm handling it well and have realized that I have to live with it. I think I will always feel my back, but it must be kept under control so it doesn't affect me during competitions.
Has gotten married
TT: Why is it so important to continue, despite your back?
One wants to stay in the fountain of youth. What should make me stop is if someone says: If you continue, you will ruin your back in the future.
Recently, Calle Halfvarsson got married to his Isabell. Together they have two children.
It's a sense of security. If I were to pass away now, I can feel calm that it would go better for Isabell and the kids. By being married, it would be better for them with the house and the economy.
November 17-19: Sweden premiere, Gällivare
November 28-30: World Cup premiere, Ruka, Finland
December 28 - January 4: Tour de Ski, Toblach-Val di Fiemme, Italy
February 7-22: Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy
February 28 - March 1: World Cup, Falun
March 20-22: World Cup final, Lake Placid, USA
Age: 36. Lives: Sågmyra.
Family: Wife Isabell and two children.
Club: Sågmyra SK.
Main merits: Olympic Games: 2014: 17th sprint. 2018: Fourth sprint relay, fifth relay. 2022: 26th 15 km. World Championship: Two silver and one bronze (all in relay 2013, 2015, 2017). World Cup: Three wins, seven second places, eight third places.
