“The strongest squad in sprints we’ve ever had”, is what Svergie has to offer in the women’s sprint at the WC. For Linn Svahn, the background and expectations are different than two years ago, but despite that, the goal is obvious.
Sweden’s national team coach Anders Byström yesterday presented the riders who will compete for Sweden in Thursday’s sprint. Linn Svahn, who missed the Olympics, managed, as expected, to squeeze a place in the squad that is fighting for the medals.
Svahn comes to the championships with a different background than two years ago. Then she was a given advance favorite and was considered to be a bit sharper than the other Swedish riders. After missing almost two years due to a shoulder injury, the situation has changed. This year, the biggest pressure is above all on Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist.
Svahn started the season later than most other Swedish riders and has only competed in a few World Cup events. The sprint specialist has made an active choice to bet everything on the WC.
– We have tried to put everything on one card and it has felt good.
According to Svahn, it is nice to have the background and the expectations that she has today. The upload has worked better than two years ago and she is looking forward to seeing how good she actually is. The form has peaked for the championship.
– The feeling is that it is constantly going straight up. I should have that last bit now.
“The strongest squad ever”
Although Svahn’s background is different from two years ago, the goal is the same – to win. The goal seems to be popular among the Swedish riders. Svahn is aware of that.
– If you, as a Swede, are at the start of the WC, you should go for a medal and a win. All five Swedes who are here can take that gold, says Svahn SVT Sports.
The biggest rivals are thus teammates Maja Dahlqvist, Jonna Sundling, Emma Ribom and Johanna Hagström.
There is a high chance that there will be a blue-yellow podium.
Image: EPA-EFE
Jonna Sundling
All Swedish skaters can be counted among the medal favorites in the sprint. A triple victory for Sweden would not have been a surprise.
Sweden’s national team coach Anders Byström could hardly hide his joy when he presented the team before the sprint. He was reasonably pleased that Sweden had such a strong team on the women’s side.
– This is the strongest squad in sprints that Sweden has ever had at a championship.
The sprint will be broadcast on Yle’s channels on Thursday, February 22.
