Charlotte Kalla ends elite career

The decision to end the outstanding career did not come easy for Swedish Cross-Country icon Charlotte Kalla. The 34 year-old however announced, that the decision came within the past final month of the World Cup season.

The career of Charlotte Kalla has not only been marked by exceptional race results, but also by Charlotte taking over the role-model position for young skiers from Sweden but also internationally.

Introduction to the senior level

In 2006, the then 18 year-young Charlotte stood on the World Cup stage for the first time. The season 2006/07 was her first full World Cup season, which she started off with a 7th rank in the 10km World Cup opener race in Gällivare. A star was born.

Her first World Cup victory followed in February 2007 in Davos. At the following World Championships in Sapporo, Charlotte Kalla was on the start line for her first title event as a senior and took the 7th rank in 15km.

Charlotte and title events

Charlotte stood on the start line at 35 World Championship races. The number of races itself is remarkable. Even more remarkable however is the fact, that (apart from four exceptions) her final results were all within the top-10. Three 11th ranks and one 18th rank break the rule but are part of the stable achievements of Charlotte Kalla.

After gaining the first experiences of a World Cup season and World Championships, Charlotte was ready to play in the front rows in the season 2007/08. With her victory in the Tour de Ski and eight more podium spots during the World Cup season, Charlotte ended her season in fourth place in the Overall World Cup Standings.

Heading into the Olympic Winter Games of Vancouver in 2010, Charlotte was a top favourite and proved to be in the right place by taking her maiden Olympic Gold Medal in the 10km in Free technique. Together with Anna Haag, the duo claimed the silver medal in addition.

Until her final Olympic season, Charlotte Kalla claimed a total of 5 individual Olympic podiums, including two Olympic Gold Medals – plus four podium spots with the team.

An era comes to an end

With an incredible experience of 266 World Cup starts, the era of Charlotte Kalla as the Cross-Country elite athlete comes to an end.

“It’s an inspiring team to be a part of and many girls who have the right mindset to do their very best every day,” said Charlotte in her athletes profile in 2020. And indeed, the young Swedish power team around her has improved a lot over the last years. Despite not reaching her individual top spots in her last seasons, it has been Charlotte that has added up to the team efforts and spirit.

After the announcement of her retirement, it becomes even more clear, how many athletes Charlotte has influenced with her skiing and great personality.

Also the FIS Cross-Country family wishes Charlotte all the very best for everything that is coming. Your incredible contribution to the sport can not put into words but are and have always been appreciated. Thank you for all your contributions to the sport and congratulations on an outstanding career, you can be very proud of.

Click here to see Charlotte's athletes profile on fisski.com

Watch below the athletes profile of Charlotte, recorded in 2020.