Snow is falling in Ruka, Finland. It's a World Cup premiere.
For Jonna Sundling, who has established herself as one of the world's biggest sprint stars over the years, this weekend is not just about getting back into the swing of things. It's the start of a season that carries both demands, hopes and an Olympics.
With an Olympic gold medal and three World Championship gold medals in individual sprint on his list of achievements, expectations are high for the 30-year-old.
"Everything is stable and good. The last competitions in Gällivare were good competitions. Good results. Good feeling in the body and it was fun to compete again," says Sundling.
Ruka is just the first step in a winter that leads to the season's big goal. The Olympics in Milano-Cortina are fast approaching.
No, I really don't think about the Olympics every day. I think about it when you talk about it. Or if you're sitting and planning training, because then you have to train to do well later on.
Don't you sometimes daydream about the Olympics?
Not all the time. That would drive me crazy. I like to pause my thoughts.
Ahead of the premiere, Sundling describes how she really enjoys competing in Ruka.
I like the courses very much, they are a bit special, she says and continues:
You start on a plateau. Then it goes downhill. There are long hills and a long way down. I like the feeling you get.
The frosty cold in northern Finland shouldn't be a concern.
I come from Västerbotten, that's really no problem, says Sundling.
