Alvar Myhlback Steps Up for Sweden in 2023 World Cup Opener Amid Absences of Top Skiers

The 2023 cross-country skiing World Cup season is set to kick off on November 28 in Ruka, Finland, with Sweden facing the opening race without several key athletes. Notably, Linn Svahn and William Poromaa are sidelined due to health issues, forcing the national team to look to emerging talents to fill their spots. One such promising talent is 19-year-old Alvar Myhlback, who impressed at the Swedish premiere in Gällivare by finishing third in the men's 10 km classic race.

Myhlback, primarily known for focusing on long-distance events, has been selected for the Ruka team to make his World Cup debut. SVT expert Mathias Fredriksson expressed optimism, noting that the challenging courses in Ruka should suit Myhlback's strengths well. The Swedish squad comprises 21 athletes but also misses veterans like Calle Halfvarsson and Marcus Grate, with Halfvarsson skipping due to recent poor performances.

The upcoming season features several changes, including new race formats and the goal of preparing athletes for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Other notable Swedish skiers competing include Ebba Andersson, Maja Dahlqvist, and Johanna Hagström, while the team navigates the absence of Victoria Carl, who is temporarily suspended following a positive doping test.

The season opener will begin with both men's and women's 10 km classic races, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and strategic season. Sweden aims to build on last season's success, where its athletes earned 34 podium finishes, second only to Norway's dominant performance.