A regular downhill race can be dangerous enough. But what would it be to race a downhill course on cross-country skis? That’s exactly what Hans Olsson (SWE) and Emil Joensson (SWE) will do later this season.
“It’s time to see who’s the best skier in Sweden,” Olsson told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Olsson is one of the top alpine skiers in Sweden, while Emil Joensson is one of the country’s best cross-country athletes.
Now they want to see who is the best skier in Sweden. And they have designed a crazy bet, naming the winner of a combination of their two sports. In conjunction with the competition “Skutskjutet” in Aare, Sweden on April 30, the two skiers will race a downhill course on cross-country skis, and then race a cross-country sprint course on downhill skis.
Olsson believes in victory
It sounds dangerous and downright crazy, but Olsson is excited. And certain he’ll win.
“I’m going to slay him,” Olsson said with a grin.
It’s worth noting that Joensson crashed and hurt himself last time he skied downhill. That was last Saturday in the sprint race at the Swedish national championships.
From Aftonbladet.se, February 7, 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.
One comment
zachhandler
February 10, 2011 at 4:28 pm
The sprint is only 200 meters. I think my money is on the alpine racer in both events…