It is unusual to have contestants on “On the Track” who were not born and raised in Sweden - Finnish-Swedish Johanna Koljonen, who won in 2010, is a well-known exception. But now it is time again.
Two-thirds of the group KAJ are taking part in this year's series. Jakob Norrgård and Axel Åhman hope that the many visits to Sweden in recent years after the success of "Bara bada bastu" in Melodifestivalen 2025 will help them.
We have now been on tour in Sweden for two years. We hope that we will end up where we have been, says Jakob Norrgård.
Crash in Finland?
And then he quickly adds, with a smile:
That way we can end up in Finland too - then we'll take it.
They have not made any demands that there will be a trip to Finland.
"No, but imagine what a disaster it would be if we missed out on Finland. Now I was scared," says Axel Åhman, laughing.
The KAJ members come from Vörå in Finland and, as Finnish Swedes, it has been obvious for them to watch a lot of Swedish television and follow what is happening here.
Culturally, we are completely immersed in Swedish television. Most of it sounds familiar, but if we have specific knowledge, we'll see, says Axel Åhman.
Exactly the same
This year's edition of "On the Track" starts unusually early in the autumn, already on September 18. Kristian Luuk is pleased with the line-up, which consists of several newcomers alongside old favourites.
Among others, previous winner Erik Haag is back, this time with Lotta Lundgren. Author Andrev Walden and comedian Kristoffer “K” Svensson are making their debuts.
It's fun. And Amy Deasismont and Uje Brandelius were big viewer favourites that people wanted back. Plus, "Weather-Nils" is on! It's the first time a meteorologist has been on since 1998, says Kristian Luuk happily.
Otherwise, most things are as usual in "On the Track".
We have refined the “Closest to winning” part a bit. But there is never anything new in “On the track”. It has looked exactly the same for 18 years. That is the strength, says Kristian Luuk.
Group 1: Radio profiles Gry Forssell and Jonas Rhodiner, program hosts Erik Haag and Lotta Lundgren, as well as Radiosporten's Bengt Skött and radio profile Ayan Jamal Warsame.
Group 2: Author Malin Persson Giolito and podcaster Ola Söderholm, author Kalle Lind and editorial writer Isobel Hadley-Kamptz at Dagens Nyheter, as well as TV meteorologist Nils Holmqvist and program host Karin Magnusson.
Group 3: Comedians Kirsty Armstrong and Hanna Lublin Niklasson, author Andrev Walden and comedian Kristoffer "K" Svensson, as well as map reader Tina Thörner and program host Kalle Berg.
Group 4: Actress Amy Deasismont and musician Uje Brandelius, KAJ members Jakob Norrgård and Axel Åhman, and Johanna Wagrell and Johan Hurtig, both comedians and writers.
