Disappointing Season Start for Swedish Cross-Country Skiers Halfvarsson, Poromaa, and Burman

Swedish cross-country skiers faced significant struggles at the start of the 2025-2026 season, with prominent athletes Calle Halfvarsson, William Poromaa, and Jens Burman all underperforming in early races held in Gällivare.

Calle Halfvarsson had a notably difficult weekend, finishing 23rd in the opening race and trailing 1:20.6 behind winner Johan Ekberg. Halfvarsson himself described his performance as "pitch black," acknowledging a lack of form and energy. Despite changing equipment such as new poles for the season, he attributed his poor results to his physical condition rather than gear issues. “It goes slowly, but it looked really clumsy,” he admitted, though he remains committed to improving as the season progresses.

William Poromaa, the 24-year-old 50-kilometer World Championship silver medalist, also struggled at the premiere. He was unrecognizable in the 10-kilometer classic race and subsequently withdrew from Sunday’s 10-kilometer freestyle event, citing illness that diminished his performance. His withdrawal underscores concerns about his readiness as the World Cup season unfolds.

Jens Burman faced a similarly bleak outing. He lamented that there was “nothing positive” to take away from his races and expressed doubts about participating in the next World Cup meet in Ruka. Burman is considering his next steps after a poor showing that he admits may stem from sustained underperformance.

These performances mark a challenging start for the Swedish team, raising questions about their form leading into the key competitions of the season. The skiers remain reflective about their current states and the adjustments needed to regain competitiveness.

The Gällivare races serve as an early indicator of the hurdles Sweden must overcome to contend at the highest level again. Observers and fans alike will be watching closely to see if Halfvarsson, Poromaa, and Burman can bounce back as the World Cup season progresses.