The 18-year-old became the youngest winner in Vasaloppet. The guy who earlier this winter didn't get to participate in the Junior World Championship because he didn't show up for the qualifying competitions. A decision that Alvar Myhlback, before the race, acknowledged has affected him as a cross-country skier.
Now it paid off and he won the classic cross-country skiing race. Then the Swedish Ski Association got a stern rebuke from SVT's expert commentator Anders Blomquist:
Anders Byström (national team manager) and Linda Danvind Malm, who is a junior coach. If you don't understand cross-country skiing and what it requires, you need to do something. This guy, you'll take him to the Junior World Championship next year if he's healthy. He can do things that no one else can.
Alvar Myhlback laughs in the finish area when he hears this and responds to the comment:
It's fully reasonable. Of course, it's more appealing to ski long distances now.
Vasalopp enthusiast
He describes himself as a Vasalopp enthusiast, who in the afternoons usually watches old races. Now he himself became a winner. Already in the first hill, he felt that something big was happening:
I'm not pushing myself and see that people are struggling. Today was the day and I didn't want to let it slip out of my hands.
Moreover, the skis worked perfectly. A pair of skis that he used last year when he won the Junior World Championship. On the final stretch, there was no one who could threaten Myhlback, who won just ahead of teammate Emil Persson. A victory that Myhlback sees as revenge for this winter.
Time and time again, it's gone a bit wrong. It's been a tough season not getting it to work out. Therefore, this means extra much, says Myhlback.
Nilsson also makes history
Stina Nilsson also made history as the 31-year-old won Vasaloppet as a debutant. According to her team leader Magnar Dalen, the victory came two years ahead of plan.
This year, she was only supposed to participate, next year she was supposed to make the podium, and in two years, she was supposed to win, he says.
Nilsson surprised the competitors by breaking away from them already in the first hill.
Today, I felt that I had good skis and a good body. I've regretted not pushing myself in previous races when I've been feeling good. Today, I didn't want to cross the finish line feeling good, and I absolutely didn't, says she and acknowledges that she was really tired the last kilometer.
Towards the end, my arms were terrifying. I've never felt such arms. So nice that it held.
