Sweden’s sprint star Emil Joensson, 25, feared catching germs on the plane or in the airport.
While the rest of the Swedish ski team boarded the plane in Stockholm to fly to Oslo on Friday, Joensson got in the car and drove 300 miles. Why? He didn’t want to risk the germs.
“I want to avoid crowds and take some precautions between now and the Worlds. That’s why I’d rather drive to Drammen and Oslo,” Joensson said to Norwegian news agency NTB.
Got hurt
Joensson injured his leg in a crash during the Swedish national championships recently, but he said that is under control now. During the Swedish sprint team camp in Vålådalen prior to the final World Cup this weekend, Joensson has trained as normal. “I’m fully recovered now, and I really didn’t miss anything,” Joensson said.
Bottom of Form
Sprint is the first event at the Worlds
Individual sprints are the first medal events at the World Championships in Oslo, and will take place on Thursday, February 24. The World Cup in Drammen Sunday was the final tune-up, and apparently things are on track for Joensson, who won the skate sprint in Drammen. Prior to the Drammen world Cup sprint, Joensson has won three WC sprints: Dusseldorf (GER) on December 5, Davos (SUI) on December 13, and Oberstdorf (GER) during Tour de Ski on January 2.
From NRK.no, February 16, 2011. Translation by Inge Scheve
Inge Scheve
Inge is FasterSkier's international reporter, born and bred in Norway. A cross-country ski racer and mountain runner, she also dabbles on two wheels in the offseason. If it's steep and long, she loves it. Follow her on Twitter: @IngeScheve.
