Sweden will be sending eight women and seven men to the Olympic long jump in Val di Fiemme in February.
Five skaters have already qualified: Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson and Jonna Sundling on the women's side and Edvin Anger and William Poromaa on the men's side.
However, it is enough to look at the winter results lists to understand which five ladies will complement the trio above.
All eight girls in the A-national team have been on the podium after two weekends. So it's clear, if you want to challenge, you might get on the podium then, says Sweden's national team manager Anders Byström.
“Like winning Olympic gold”
Jonna Sundling, Frida Karlsson, Johanna Hagström and Ebba Andersson have already won. And Moa Ilar, Emma Ribom, Maja Dahlqvist and Linn Svahn have also reached the podium during the six opening World Cup races.
For the skaters just behind, like Märta Rosenberg, Moa Lundgren and Evelina Crüsell, the road to the Olympics is almost hopeless.
It's almost as difficult as winning Olympic gold, says Maja Dahlqvist about the fierce competition for Olympic spots.
And in a way I think that's why we are where we are. For so long we have been there, triggering each other and helping each other.
Linn Svahn on how difficult it is to get to the Olympics:
It's not difficult if you go fast enough. But fast enough means you have to go like the fastest in the world, says Svahn.
Myhlback to the Olympics?
Anders Byström expects to present a number of additional Olympic skaters before Christmas. And admits that it is considerably more open on the men's side.
Behind those already selected, there is really only one who has impressed greatly. The question is, however, whether 19-year-old rising star Alvar Myhlback, sensational third in Friday's World Cup sprint in Trondheim, even wants to go to the Olympics in Italy.
You are not forced to go to the Olympics. But we will have that dialogue with Alvar based on the weekends that have been and what is to come. And if we get the green light from there, then there are good opportunities, says Byström.
Myhlback, who this spring became Vasaloppet's youngest ever winner, has previously said that he prioritizes the long-distance cup over the World Cup and the Olympics. But the feeling is that the 19-year-old has softened somewhat regarding the Olympic Games.
"What we've seen is that he's enjoyed the group very much. He's said it's been fun, and it's really fun. And it feels like everyone on the team has taken good care of him too," says Byström.
