Sweden has had great success on the men's side in freeskiing, and last week several members of the freeskiing national team were in full swing with training at Hammarbybacken in Stockholm.
During the 2022/2023 season, the men's national team will have six starting places in the World Cup in both Big Air and slopestyle – something that has never been done before.
The prerequisites and goals are clear.
To squeeze a podium place, in a season where the WC in Bakuriani, Georgia, and the World Cup at home in Falun are in focus.
- We have a good slopestyle team.
The test will be at the WC and there we want to continue to win medals.
But then we have also decided internally that we will compete a lot for the overall World Cup and aim for good placings there because it reflects the whole season.
We want to reach the top 3, for sure, says Niklas Eriksson, the national team captain.
Last season, Jesper Tjäder finished eighth, Oliwer Magnusson ninth and Hugo Burvall in eleventh place overall.
Then the trio also missed two World Cup competitions.
- It's cool to see how the sport has grown and with the Olympics in recent years it has really expanded.
It will be exciting to see in the future, says Olympic bronze medalist Jesper Tjäder.
First time in twelve years
How big a chance do you have of a top three finish this year?
- The WC is a big competition this year and we will get there in good shape.
We have a very good chance, if we focus and drive everything this year, we will pick up the total, says Niklas Eriksson.
For the first time in twelve years, the World Cup in Big Air will be arranged in Sweden.
On the weekend of November 24–26, the world's best freeskiers and snowboarders visit Lugnet in Falun.
This means that Sweden gets extra starting places, which means that more skiers get the chance to compete with the elite.
- It's great fun that many Swedes get the chance this year.
Six starters is really progress, says Oliwer Magnusson, reigning world champion.