Alvar Myhlback's Stunning Podium Finish Using Skating Technique Sparks Debate in World Cup Sprint

In a breakthrough performance at the World Cup sprint event in Trondheim, 19-year-old Swedish skier Alvar Myhlback secured a sensational third-place finish using an unconventional approach. Myhlback chose to compete without grip wax, relying solely on his skating technique, which he believes he might be the best in the world at. "What a day," he said, expressing satisfaction despite the physical toll, noting that during the race, "the train was about to leave up there."

Myhlback's final sprint was remarkable; starting in fifth place in the last stretch, he overtook competitors Lars Heggen and Erik Valnes to claim his first World Cup podium. The final was dominated by six skiers, including Myhlback and five Norwegians, with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo celebrating his 100th World Cup victory. Oskar Opstad Vike narrowly edged Myhlback by just three hundredths of a second for second place.

Myhlback’s choice to use only the skating technique without grip wax throughout the event has ignited controversy in the skiing community. Norwegian skier Erik Valnes criticized the absence of "stakfria zoner" (non-staking zones) in the competition, warning that this could undermine classic skiing traditions. Valnes stated, “We must think bigger than just him and here and now... it’s to preserve classic skiing.” Conversely, Klæbo praised Myhlback’s exceptional performance while emphasizing the need for balance between skiing techniques.

Myhlback himself was initially surprised by the absence of non-staking zones, which he had expected. He responded to the controversy humorously, suggesting he might celebrate his podium by "staking a little more."

Prior to the final, Myhlback demonstrated his strong form by finishing third in the super-qualifier, finishing only 24 hundredths of a second behind Klæbo. Despite focusing on long-distance races this season, he continues to showcase impressive sprint capabilities.

This event has not only marked a milestone for Myhlback, earning his first World Cup podium, but also sparked a broader debate on the evolution of cross-country skiing techniques as the sport balances tradition and innovation.