If he wore a warming fur hat, the skiing-interested king seemed to enjoy being on site and following the men's mass start over 20 kilometers.
Edvin Anger challenged the Norwegian skiers (Pål Golberg won) for a long time and finished in seventh place. King Carl XVI Gustaf was delighted that Anger contributed to lifting Swedish men's cross-country skiing ahead of the World Championship in Trondheim.
It went fairly well. Of course, everyone wishes it could have gone even better. But they are among the top and in the best groups, said the king to TT.
Motivated by the visit
Edvin Anger tells that he got extra energy when he knew the king was on site:
It's motivating. When I heard he was here, I thought it would be good to push a little extra. Super fun that he's here. Sorry I couldn't stand on the podium, says Anger.
When the king hears that his presence gave Anger an energy boost, he laughs and says:
I don't believe that. I just talked to Edvin Anger and he was quite satisfied anyway. It was the last, last, last thing that was missing. It was very close.
The king about the World Championship hopes
The king now sees that things are starting to brighten up for Swedish men's cross-country skiers.
It's fun. It looks better for the future, says the king and tells that he will visit the World Championship in Trondheim on the first day.
He has high hopes for the Swedish men's and women's skiers, but adds that they can have it tough.
We should always aim high and hope it goes well for the Swedish skiers. But they're not alone. There are always many who are at least as good and better and so on. It's tough competition. That's what it's all about. It's fun.
How's the king's own cross-country skiing going?
There isn't much snow in Stockholm. I'm looking forward to Easter. Then I'll try to take a ski promenade.
Edvin Anger appreciated the king's presence in Falun and explained that they have common interests:
I think the king and I would have matched well. He's interested in agriculture, which I also am. It's a good combo.
