Swedish and Norwegian Skaters Weigh In on Halfvarsson

Norwegian and Swedish skaters react to Halfvarsson

TRONDHEIM. Calle Halfvarsson’s statement attracted attention among the skiers in Norway.

Is he one of the best skaters in the world if he is fit?

Opinions are divided on that.

While the rest of the skiing elite went ski to ski in Trondheim, Calle Halfvarsson was elsewhere. In Grönklitt, more specifically, at some sort of home-made training camp.

In an interview with Sportbladet, he talked about his future plans. The goal: Tour de Ski. And from there a last attempt to join the Olympic squad.

– I know what I can do. When I’m in shape, I know I’m among the best in the world. There is no difference from before. It’s just a matter of finding it again, said Halfvarsson.

One person who definitely disagrees with that statement is Harald Östberg Amundsen, who finished second in Saturday’s World Cup skiathlon.

– I haven’t seen that in many years. It is so stupid to sit at home and be in such bad shape and at the same time say that you are so good. I don’t believe that, he says.

Poromaa: “Throwing stones in glass houses”

One who is of a different opinion is William Poromaa who believes that the Olympic chances are still good for Halfvarsson.

– To be completely honest, he is one of the best in the world when he is in his form. He’s not lying about that. Then we’ll have to hope and see in the future if he succeeds, says Poromaa.

Halfvarsson also said in the interview with Sportbladet that the competition on the Swedish men’s side is not very tough at the moment.

– No, he is absolutely right about that. But he is part of it, haha. It will be a bit like throwing stones in a glass house, says Poromaa.

“Everything is possible for Calle”

One who could be seen as Halfvarsson’s Norwegian equivalent is Emil Iversen, who has had a lot of ups and downs in his career. However, he has had a more successful career than Halfvarsson and is above all in significantly better shape at the moment.

He came third in Saturday’s VC skiathlon and just like Halfvarsson, Iversen trains on his own outside the national team.

– If he trains well, everything is possible for Calle. He can call me if he needs advice, I’m becoming a seasoned master at running my own team now. But he must at least arrange the herding, I can say that. Start there! says Iversen.

Do you have any concrete tips for Calle on what he should do to get an Olympic place?

– Yes, he has to train very hard. It might be a little late, but he just has to drive hard and give it one last chance. Everything is possible for Calle. I’m rooting for him and hope he succeeds.

Kläbo: “We’ll see…”

Saturday’s winner Johannes Hösflot Kläbo is hoping for Halfvarsson in the Olympic tracks in February.

– The chance is there. He just has to do things right. He just needs to get in shape. Train. That is the most important thing. We can hope. Is he still out there in … where was it?

Green dune.

– Yes, Orsa. That he lies there and continues to train. Let’s hope that the training there yields results.

He says that if he is fit, then he is one of the best in the world.

– Yes, we’ll see, says Kläbo with a smile of the larger model.