Jonna Sundling had a chance at a fifth straight championship gold in the sprint, but was knocked out by Linn Svahn. Nevertheless, she is a satisfied silver medalist who met with the media after the race.
I'm very happy. And a little relieved, says Sundling, admitting that it has been a little extra tense ahead of the Olympic competitions in Val di Fiemme.
Being part of an all-Swedish team didn't make things any worse.
It was extra fun that Linn, Maja and I got to share the podium. We are strong on paper, but to achieve it takes a lot from us. There is a lot that has to work out.
Five difficult years
Maja Dahlqvist took Olympic silver behind Sundling in 2022. This time she had to settle for a bronze, and that was good enough for the 31-year-old.
"It's magical. We've known we could do this, but there's a lot that needs to happen for it to really happen. It's hard to believe it's true," says Dahlqvist.
"And today I still feel like I've won a bronze. Linn and Jonna were a little better. We won as a team, and I won a bronze."
Both Sundling and Dahlqvist also have a hard time finding a more worthy winner than Linn Svahn. The 26-year-old has had seasons and championships ruined by various injuries over the past five years, and now she has her first championship medal.
“A whole team again”
"I don't usually rank who should get a medal or who deserves a medal. But I can't think of anyone I'd rather give a gold medal to than her," says Dahlqvist.
"We've missed her. It's great that she's back and I really want her to win this. It feels really good to feel like a whole team again," says Sundling.
National team manager Anders Byström endorses all of the above, and describes how tough the World Championships in Trondheim last year were for the entire squad. Then Svahn fell in training the day before the individual sprint and missed the entire championship with a concussion.
"All the way from there to where she is today, that achievement is even more impressive. She should be very proud. I hope she sheds a little tear of joy because she deserves it," says Byström.
