With seven World Championship golds, Gunde Svan is still Sweden's most successful cross-country skier in terms of World Championships.
Jonna Sundling is now alone in second place on the same list with five golds.
Yes, it's not that bad, says Sundling briefly about her achievement.
Is it Gunde's turn next now?
I don't even know how many he has?
He has seven.
Yes, damn it! Yes, we'll see.
More golds to defend
There are opportunities for more Sundling golds during the World Championship in Trondheim. Just like in the individual sprint, Sundling is the reigning World Champion in the sprint relay, and is seen as a gold favorite once again – regardless of who she gets as a teammate.
But potential medal records are not what drives her.
No, I don't think so. I do my best and I do it because I think it's fun. That thing about comparing and having the most of something, it's not something I've focused on, says Jonna Sundling.
Besides the sprint relay, Sundling should be a given in the traditional relay. She also hopes to get the chance in some of the distance races during the championship.
Skiathlon next?
What other competitions do you want to participate in at the World Championship?
God, I get a bit nervous when you ask that question. But I want to participate as much as possible.
The next World Championship race for women is Sunday's skiathlon over 20 kilometers, where half the distance is in classical style and half in freestyle. There, Sundling is seen more as an outsider for medals, but the longer she can keep up with the top athletes, the more dangerous she becomes.
It would be fun to participate. There are so many strong distance skiers and it's tough courses. But, I like the finish because it's freestyle. I have to think a bit about that and it depends a bit on the distance form, says Sundling, before concluding:
But it has started well anyway.
Lasse Mannheimer/TT
Facts: Swedish skiers with the most World Championship golds
TT
7 World Championship golds: Gunde Svan.
5 World Championship golds: Jonna Sundling.
4 World Championship golds: Torgny Mogren, Sixten Jernberg.
3 World Championship golds: Ebba Andersson, Charlotte Kalla, Per Elofsson, Thomas Wassberg, Nils-Joel Englund.
2 World Championship golds: Stina Nilsson, Johan Olsson, Sven-Åke Lundbäck, Thomas Magnusson, Assar Rönnlund, Sture Grahn, Karl-Erik Åström, Sven Utterström, John Lindgren.
