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It was in March when the news hit like a bomb in the world of skiing. Stina Nilsson had decided to give up cross-country skiing to invest in biathlon. A news that attracted a lot of attention both in Sweden and internationally.
Nilsson herself explained her change in sport saying that she needed a new challenge in her career.
And this weekend, 27-year-old Stina Nilsson will finally make her debut as a biathlete in a competitive context, and that during the Swedish premiere in Idre.
“It is a big difference”
Mathias Fredriksson, a former cross-country skier and now SVT’s “Winter Studio” expert, is looking forward to Stina Nilsson’s debut as a biathlete.
– It will be very exciting to follow her, we do not know at all where Stina is at the moment. But without ever being a biathlete, I understand that there is a huge difference between running a real competition and going up alone here at the Östersund shooting range on a Wednesday morning.
– There will be a completely different pressure when competing, says Fredriksson and believes that the important thing now is that Stina Nilsson can compete.
– Entering the competition itself, I think it will be extremely crucial for her. So of course shooting will be your biggest challenge. But if there’s anyone who can do it, it’s probably Stina. She can be really nerdy in the details and think it’s funny. Somehow he has the required mindset.
“Is not sufficient”
What awaits Stina Nilsson after this weekend’s Swedish premiere is still unclear. The Biathlon World Cup kicks off in Kontiolathi, Finland, on November 27. But that Nilsson runs the premiere of the world cup, both the coach of the national team, Johannes Lukas, and herself have previously fired.
Most likely in advance would have been that Stina Nilsson started her international competition as a biathlete at the IBU Cup, the level during the World Cup. But due to the corona pandemic, the IBU Cup has been canceled until New Years and does not start until January.
If Stina Nilsson, after all, has a chance at the World Cup, Mathias Fredriksson believes she can succeed in acting at times.
– Certainly some competition can start already this winter, but that it would already be there all the time this season, I don’t think so. And it’s not enough to shoot full blast. In today’s biathlon, you need to shoot completely and quickly.
– We know that Stina is a good skier and can certainly earn a little money skiing. But it seems impossible that you can shoot as fast as, for example, Hanna Öberg and Dorothea Wierer initially. She can certainly shoot fast, but you have to hit too.
“Let’s see if it was good or bad”
Mathias Fredriksson lives in Östersund, where Stina Nilsson trains and alternatively also lives. And when he was at the ski stadium last year, Nilsson was there.
– I’ve never been to the stadium once without Stina being there. So you probably haven’t cheated on shooting training in any case.
Was it a good or bad choice for Stina Nilsson to change sports?
– I must say that I think it was surprising, but at the same time very brave. We’ll see if it was good or bad.
Ever eager to switch from cross country skiing to biathlon during your career?
– Never.
READ MORE: Stina Nilsson: “It doesn’t feel fair”
READ MORE: Helena Ekholm: “It made me feel the vibes”
