There were not as big reactions as when Nilsson, at the height of his career as a cross-country skier, switched to biathlon four years ago, but today’s decision shook winter sports Sweden.
– It will be fun to follow her, she is a person who likes challenges and will tackle them in a good way, says Lukas.
When did you find this out?
– It has been since the end of the competition season and it has been a process for her in which I support her.
You didn’t try to get her to stay as a biathlete?
– It is not my responsibility to assess her decision, but I assess her competition year and have made an evaluation with her. We talked about what she needed to develop as a biathlete for next season and what it took after that is not my job and not something I can judge.
“Shows again how difficult biathlon is”
What did you see in Stina Nilsson as a biathlete for next season?
– We have seen that on her best days she can be very high up, but has not been able to achieve consistency for several races in a row. We should not forget that she has an individual podium in the World Cup and not all biathletes have succeeded in that.
Why do you think she didn’t reach the very top level as a biathlete?
– Biathlon is a very difficult sport and it’s not just about learning to shoot and go fast with an almost four kilo heavy weapon on your back. It is a complex sport where you have to be patient to learn to combine two different things. This again shows how difficult biathlon is.
What do you think of Stina Nilsson in Ski Classics?
– I think she will be fine. As I know Stina, she will not do any half-baked things, but will go “all in” and invest fully. This thing with mass starts is something that suits her.
