After Sweden's success at the Winter Olympics, next winter brings, among other things, the World Championships at home in Falun. Now Jonna Sundling, who won one gold and two silver during the championships, is choosing her own focus for the season.
"After twelve years in the national team, I feel ready to try a new path forward in my career. My choice to stand outside the training group this summer and fall is not about disloyalty or a grudge against the association," she says in a press release.
"I want to be clear that I have always enjoyed being on the national team and look forward to joining the team again when the season starts in November."
No compulsion
In Norway, several skiers have felt compelled to accept the national team, in order not to risk being excluded from, for example, World Cup competitions. Something similar has not been the case for Sweden, according to cross-country director Lars Öberg.
"We have never used any threats or anything like that. That is not the line we have chosen. But I have full respect for the Norwegian Ski Association choosing a different path," he says at a press conference.
At the same time, Sundling's announcement did not come as a surprise, he said.
"I had a pretty long conversation with Jonna last spring. I would have liked to see her continue for a thirteenth year in the national team, but I have full respect for that and haven't even tried to persuade her this time."
On the men's side, the talented Alvar Myhlback was offered a spot after his strong season, but chose instead to continue focusing on long-distance skiing.
"I was very happy to receive the offer, but I feel excited and eager to continue with the approach I had last season," he says.
Lars Öberg also points out that both Sundling and Myhlback still have opportunities to qualify for both the World Cup and the World Championships.
Several dropped
It was clear in advance that there would be some changes in the national team squads, especially after the Olympic fiasco on the men's side.
It was known, for example, that sprinter Marcus Grate would be dropped from the squad, and recently Johan Häggström announced that he was ending his career, partly because he would not get a national team spot next season.
Veteran Jens Burman has also retired.
Instead, Truls Gisselman and Anton Grahn will now get a chance in the A national team. On the women's side, Moa Lundgren will step up to the A national team.
Here are the skiers who have been selected for the national cross-country team this coming season.
Women: Ebba Andersson, Maja Dahlqvist, Johanna Hagström, Moa Ilar, Frida Karlsson, Moa Lundgren, Emma Ribom, Linn Svahn.
Men: Edvin Anger, Gustaf Berglund, Truls Gisselman, Anton Grahn, William Poromaa.
