November 2015: The investment is presented
The Swedish Skiing Association presents a speed investment with the vision that Sweden will become a leader in the alpine speed disciplines downhill and super-G. The goal is, among other things, to win the downhill race in Kitzbühel in 2021 and win an Olympic medal in 2022, but above all to be among the top in the speed disciplines at the home WC in Åre in 2019. The giant investment will cost upwards of SEK 20 million over a six-year period, the group will be named Team Year 2019.
February 2018: Olympics in Pyeongchang
Lisa Hörnblad is the only Swedish skater in the speed disciplines at the Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
February 2019: No top positions at the home WC
The home WC in Åre 2019 did not turn out to be what the association had hoped for. The best Swedish position on the women's side in the speed events was Lisa Hörnblad's 20th place in the downhill. On the men's side, Felix Monsén's 16th place in the downhill was the best.
February 2020: Criticism from riders - the association responds
The majority of riders criticize the initiative.
- It wasn't as serious as it should have been, there were hardly any training or gatherings, no one took part in important competitions, you didn't get any support. It felt very frivolous, unfortunately, says a skater to SVT Sport.
After the WC in Åre 2019, several skaters said they did not know what happened to the investment.
- It seems to have flowed into the sand, says one person.
Tommy Eliasson Winter, then national team manager, disagrees.
- There is no evidence to support that thesis, he says.
February 2022: No Swedish speed skaters in the Beijing Olympics
No Swedish skaters will start in the speed disciplines during the Olympics in Beijing, China.
April 2022: Alpina boss leaves
Tommy Eliasson Winter, who started the speed effort, is stepping down after seven years as alpine manager in the Swedish Ski Association.
February 2023: No Swedish speed racers at the WC in France
At the time of writing, the Alpine WC is taking place in
Courchevel and Meribel in France, another championship where Sweden will start without any speed riders.
February 2023: Riders comment on the venture
Skaters look back on the investment and the lack of results in an SVT report.
- It felt like we didn't really have a plan, says one rider.
Another says it was "the wrong people in the wrong positions".