Johanna Hagström, with two straight SM silvers in her bag, grew up in Falköping, only about three miles from Skövde and the SM arena Billingen - and she was quickly appointed as the championship's poster name.
Therefore, it was far from obvious to refuse.
- It was actually deep inside.
It's kind of my home turf.
I have hyped this up so much myself, it feels heavy not to actually be there, says Hagström to SVT Sport.
But she is far from alone in skipping the SM.
The fact is that most of Sweden's top skaters will not be there when the medals are to be handed out.
"Priorities - my big goal is the WC"
The reason is that the competitions are sandwiched between two World Cup weekends, the past one in Les Rousses in France and the upcoming one in Toblach.
In addition, there is only about a month left until the World Cup.
- Yes, there were priorities.
My big goal this season is the WC and the sprint cup now that things have gone quite well, says Hagström.
Nor will Ebba Andersson, who has won seven SM gold, come to Skövde.
That the biggest names are missing, how do you see it happening at SM?
- I think it's a great shame, I myself would have loved to run the SM.
It's one of the highlights of the season, I think.
Skiing SM is part of the SM week that is broadcast on SVT. The first competition is Tuesday's sprint at 14.00 on SVT1.