Nilsson is back & Hellner takes competition break

Press release Swedish Ski - 23-01-2017

Swedish Ski Association has picked six ladies and six gentlemen representing the Swedish national team at the World Cup races in Falun on 28-29 January.

Stina Nilsson, who stood over the races in Ulricehamn is back in the squad. By contrast, the Marcus Hellner off and will train at home in Gällivare instead.

Head coach Rikard Grip, along with National team coaches have picked the squad that will represent the national team in Falun.

Stina Nilsson will once again stand on the start line after having declined to compete in Ulricehamn. Stina was third in the Tour de Ski, and has five podium finishes so far this year.  "It will be fun to reintroduce Stina to competitive situations. She has had a good period of recovery and training since the Tour de Ski," says Grip.

Another skier was missing in Ulricehamn, but now comes to Falun is Evelina Settlin.  Charlotte Kalla is also in the squad to Falun.  "It was incredibly fun to see Charlotte again take to the podium. She is showing that she's on the way up, which bodes well for the future, mainly already this weekend in Falun," adds Grip.

Among the men Calle Halfvarsson, who sprinted Sweden to second place in yesterday's relay will go again this weekend in Falun along with Johan Olsson. "Johan was missing the top form in Ulricehamn that we know he possesses, but with more races, then I think that Johan's shape curve points upward," notes Grip.

Missing, however is last weekend's third place finisher in the 15 km freestyle Marcus Hellner. "Marcus was a little under the weather the week after the Tour de Ski and needs to get in some exercise in now in an important period of preparation towards the World Championship in Lahti," explains Richard.

**Athletes selected for the World Cup in Falun on 28-29 January:
**

Women sprint
Hanna Falk, Ulricehamns IF, IDA INGEMARSDOTTER, ridges NS, Stina Nilsson, IFK Mora SK, Evelina Settlin, Hudiksvalls IF, Jonna Sundling, IFK Umeå, Jennie Öberg, Piteå Elit.

Women distance
Emma Wikén, ridges NS, Hanna Falk, Ulricehamns IF, Sofia Henriksson, Piteå Elit, IDA INGEMARSDOTTER, ridges NS, Charlotte Kalla, Piteå Elit, Stina Nilsson, IFK Mora SK.

Men sprint
Calle Halfvarsson, Sågmyra SK, Emil Jönsson, Anna & Emil Sportklubb, Gustav Nordström, Boras SK, Teodor Peterson, IFK Umeå, Oskar Svensson, Falun Borlänge SK, Karl-Johan Westberg, Boras SK.

Men distance
Jens Burman, ridges NS, Simon Andersson, Falun Borlänge SK, Calle Halfvarsson, Sågmyra SK, Martin Johansson, IFK Mora SK, Johan Olsson, Stockviks SF, Daniel Richardsson, Hudiksvalls IF.

*Source langd.se