Halfvarsson has had troubled seasons before. But the question is whether this winter will take its toll.
"It's just been stress all the way through. There hasn't been any harmony at all," the 36-year-old says by phone from Oberhof.
The whole autumn was ravaged by illnesses. I came into the season completely untrained.
He is in Germany to compete in Sunday's distance race, the 10-kilometre classic. It will be Calle Halfvarsson's first World Cup competition of the season.
And at the same time it's his last chance to secure an Olympic spot.
Weak results
After an unsuccessful Swedish debut in November, he fell ill again and when he was able to compete again – first in the Scandinavian Cup in Finland and most recently in the Swedish Cup in Falun – the results have mostly been weak. The exception was second place in the 10 kilometre classic in Falun last week.
That effort was enough to convince the national team management to give him one last opportunity to prove that he deserves a ticket to the Olympics in Italy, where the cross-country competitions will be held in Val di Fiemme.
I need to take a really good step compared with Falun. Preferably one like I took from Finland to Falun, maybe even more than that. Then I don't think I need to win the race; I'm probably not quite there yet. It would be crazy if I could win with the background I have. But a top finish would be nice, says Calle Halfvarsson.
It would also be a shame for his good form if he doesn't make it to the Olympic Games.
I'm pretty sure I'll be in great shape in three weeks. But then I might be back home in Falun and not selected for the Olympics, and that would be a real shame.
“A little humor”
He is a skier many people have opinions about, and he is well aware of that. Even though he mostly learns about it through second-hand information.
Yes, haha. I hear from friends and family; it's more from those who take offense and get irritated. But I've told them not to care. Everyone can think what they want, it's a free country. And there will always be such know-it-alls, those who think they know more when they're sitting at home on the couch. It's still a bit of humor, but I don't care, says Halfvarsson.
Hopefully, the career will continue for at least another season even if there is no Olympics. Next year, there will be the World Championships in Halfvarsson's backyard, in Falun.
If I don't qualify for the Olympics, I'll make a decision pretty quickly about whether I'll race another season. I want to do it, but I need to check that it's possible with family and sponsors. But then I'll start my commitment to Falun more or less now.
