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Until now he has been better known as Frida Karlsson’s boyfriend. Now he is called the savior of Swedish male skiing. And on Sunday, William Poromaa fulfilled expectations in Bruksvallarna.
On the female side, Sweden is one of the absolute global elites in cross-country skiing. With Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson leading the way, the blue and yellow ladies will seriously challenge Therese Johaug for World Cup gold in Oberstdorf.
But on the male side, success has almost been conspicuous by its absence in recent years. That may change soon.
One of the talents that is now emerging hears the name of William Poromaa. The 19-year-old is making his first senior season and got off to a good start taking victory in the 15km freestyle in Bruksvallarna on Sunday.
– Absolutely incomparable, says Poromaa herself afterwards according to SVT.
– I’ve felt so damn strong and it means a lot to show what you stand for. So fucking nice. This is proof that progress is being made. I think I found a good plan for the race, I tried to keep a good pace and then finish harder, continue.
He wants to do like his girlfriend Karlsson
How far can it go then? If you ask Calle Halfvarsson, who finished fourth on Sunday, the bar must be set very high.
– I call it “El Salvador”. He’s the one who will save Swedish cross-country skiing, Halfvarsson tells Expressen.
Poromaa himself takes the nickname in stride.
– Yes Yes. I heard that … if I can measure up, I will be very happy, he says.
The question is how Poromaa can rise to the height of the international elite, but this season he will not be forced to settle for watching competitions from the stands. He has experience in that.
Frida Karlsson and William Poromaa at the Swedish Sports Gala in January.
Frida Karlsson and William Poromaa at the 2020 Sports Gala.
Image: STELLA Pictures / All Over Press
Poromaa joins forces with the super talented Frida Karlsson, who in turn also won at Bruksvallarna on Sunday. Karlsson lost the match against Ebba Anderrsson on Friday, but got his revenge two days later.
– I am very pleased. There are very good things that I am taking to the World Cup now, he tells SVT later.
Sundby’s back problems make up for it
At the Norwegian Beitostölen, Sunday’s winners were Hans Christer Holund and Therese Johaug in the 15 and 10 kilometers freestyle respectively.
But the big sandwich afterwards was still Martin Johnsrud Sundby. The four-time World Cup gold medalist was forced to cancel, and the first signs of what it was all about were anything but positive.
– It is something that stabs me with knives in the small of the back, says later according to SVT.
– It can’t go on like this. We have to fix this, otherwise I will be out of luck. It gets depressing, Sundby continues.
According to NRK, Sundby will now speak with a specialist to see if his career can still be saved. The 36-year-old was retired from the Norwegian national team for next season.
Results, Bruksvallarna
Men 15 km, freestyle:
- William Poromaa 34.48.4
- Johan Häggström +21.5
- Axel Ekström +25.9
- Halfvarsson Street +30.8
- Björn Sandström +31.4
Women’s 10 km freestyle:
- Frida Karlsson 26.12.3
- Ebba Andersson +9.9
- Maja Dahlqvist +17.4
- Moa Lundgren +56.7
- Jonna Sundling +1.00.20
Result, Beitostölen:
Men 15 km, freestyle:
- Hans-Christer Holund 32.36.2
- Harald Östberg Amundsen +21.2
- Sjur Röthe +32.0
- Jon Rolf Skamo Hope +39.3
- Chris Andre Jespersen +43.1
Women’s 10 km freestyle:
- Therese Johaug 23.20.6
- Heidi Weng +36.0
- Helene Marie Fossesholm +50.8
- Karoline Simpson-Larsen +58.6
- Anne Kjersti Kalvå +1.18.7
Result, Olos:
Men 15 km, freestyle:
- Andrey Melniytenko RUS 33.04.4
- Alexei Tjervotkin RUS +0.2
- Alexander Bolsjunov RUS +1.0
- Ivan Yakimushkin RUS +12.9
- Artem Nikolaev RUS +35.2
- Lucas Bögl GER +37.5
Women’s 10 km freestyle:
- Tatjana Sorina RUS 24.35.0
- Win Carl GER +9.2
- Delphine Claudel FRA +13.2
- Katharina Hennig GER +17.7
- Anamarija Lampic SLO +32.4
