The national cross-country premiere is underway in Bruksvallarna, last year Gällivare was the host.
Then the prize money for a victory was SEK 6,000.
This year it is SEK 1,500.
- The sum you got today won't get you far when you have to pay the rent, says Saturday's men's winner Eric Rosjö to SVT Sport.
- You know how many people watch the premiere on TV, so you think that sponsors can contribute more.
The anger of the Olympic skier: "Living on the bare minimum"
Anton Persson, who went to the Olympics last winter, came second in Saturday's ten kilometer race, a good result for him that resulted in 1,000 kroner in prize money.
- Everyone I talk to is annoyed.
We go around during the Winter Studio's best air time, the clubs probably spend 50,000 kroner on this weekend and at the award ceremony we are forced to cover our own sponsors with the organizer's sponsors, says Persson to SVT Sport.
How does it feel when the sums are so low?
- I feel good with support from the association in the A team right now, but for a skater like Rosjö who kind of lives on the bare minimum and puts his whole life into this, it must feel like a mockery to not even be able to pay for the trip here by winning in one of the season's most important races, says Persson.
After tax: "There will be nothing left"
When a skier receives a price check, he must also receive invoicing information to the organizing club, and then invoice the sum allocated for the placement.
After that, you also pay tax on the sum, which makes the actual price sum even lower.
- It won't be a better situation for us who try to make a living from the sport, after invoicing there is nothing left, says Rosjö.
How is the conversation going among you riders?
- You joke about it, you laugh at it and shrug your shoulders.
- As for Alvar Myhlback who came third in the sprint (500 kroner in prize money), his prize money is basically enough for a lunch after he invoices.
What do you think about it being so low?
- It's like any other job, you have to live on what you get, maybe you have to think a little more about it.
It's not just the organizer who is doing well, it's also us skaters who, in a way, make the competitions happen, says Rosjö.
SVT Sport has applied for Bruksvallarna's competition manager.
CLIP: Rosjö on the bet after the victory: "Horrible experience"
Javascript is disabled
Javascript must be enabled to play video
Read more about browser support
Eric Rosjö (right) won the men's 10 km – after the bet with Anton Persson.
Photo: Bildbyrån/SVT