In the World Cup premiere at senior level, Linn Svahn struck directly when she won the sprint in Davos on December 14, 2014. When last year's season was summed up, Svahn was the winner of the overall sprint cup.
Due to that, the 21-year-old cross-country skier was named female athlete of the year at the Sports Gala.
- First of all, I want to say that it is an incredible honor to be nominated for this award.
Nothing is as cool as strong women.
Strong women who perform in sports and who make their voices heard in society.
- Even though I do an individual sport, this prize is not just mine.
There are so many I would like to thank, who always stand behind me and let me be who I am.
But most of all, I want to give my coach Ola who always believes in me, even when I set sky-high goals that are even scary.
He makes me a better skier and person.
Svahn ended his speech of thanks, via a link, by emphasizing the importance of setting goals.
- Set high goals and have high ambitions, almost a little too high if you can say so.
Because then I think you can achieve almost anything.
Dare to believe in yourself, especially as a woman.
Then you can be part of breaking new barriers.
The other nominees were Isabelle Haak (volleyball), Sandra Näskund (skicross) and Anna Wijk (floorball).