By Johan Trygg
Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, did what no Swedish male Pro Team athlete had done before, winning the overall Champion competition Season XI.
In addition to the overall victory, Persson won the Visma Alp Trophy, Visma Nordic Trophy, the Youth competition, and the Sprint competition. Persson has shown an exceptionally even and high level.
“It’s fantastic that I have not been worse than fifth in any race,” says 26-year-old Emil Persson.
The road to the overall victory for 26-year-old Emil Persson has been through victories in four races: Marcialonga, Jizerská 50, Vålådalsrennet and Tåssåsen Criterium 64. The other placements are: Engadin La Diagonela (5), Toblach-Cortina (3), Vasaloppet (4) and Årefjällsloppet (5).
In the Champion competition, Persson won with 1540 points ahead of Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel of Norway, with 1302 points. Persson won Visma Alp Trophy with 570 points ahead of Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Eiendom with 520 points. He won Visma Nordic Trophy with 670 points ahead of Tord Asle Gjerdalen with 612 points.
In the Youth competition, Persson won with 1540 points ahead of Johannes Eklöf, Team Ramudden, with 583. Persson won the Sprint competition with 342 points ahead of Maxim Vylegshanin, Russian Winter Team, with 264 points.
We talk to Emil two days after Årefjällsloppet’s 100 km when the fantastic season begins to sink in for him.
“I’m feeling fine and just enjoying myself,” says Persson.
You were basically the clear winner of the yellow Champion bib ahead of Årefjällsloppet. But the 100 km long race was to be completed. What were your thoughts during the race?
“The thoughts went back and forth during the five-hour race, but I felt that it was clear if nothing drastic would happen. When I crossed the finish line, I just stood there looking and thinking, “now it’s over.” There was a kind of emptiness in the body,” says Persson.
How did you experience Årefjällsloppet?
“It was an unusual race, but it was fun. I noticed that lots of athletes had respect for the distance.”
Like most TV viewers, I guess you in the peloton thought that Oskar Kardin would win the race?
“Yes, we did. Many in the group were worn out, but I felt strong, and when we passed Vallbo, Anton Järnberg (Lager 157 Ski Team Pro Team Director) shouted that they had parked in front. Then I went all in to catch up.”
Then Andreas Nygaard was fast in the sprint?
“Nygaard had only been poking around with his poles all day. He had such great skis. I had pushed hard at the end of the race to secure the Visma Nordic Trophy against Gjerdalen. At the finish, I had nothing left.”
Emil Persson ended the season with fifth place at Årefjällsloppet and secured the yellow Champion bib with a clear margin to Gjerdalen. At the same time, he won Visma Nordic Trophy.
During season XI, it has been clear how high the level has been among the peloton athletes. With that in mind, Emil Persson’s results in season XI are impressive, to say the least. He has not been worse than in fifth place in any race and has won four.
“It’s fantastic that I have not been worse than five in any race,” says Persson.
What awaits you in the near future?
“Now I hope for sunny weather so It will be possible to make some nice trips on skis in the mountains. I have no big plans for the near future; I will take the days as they come and do some mountaineering.”
Is there something you missed to do during the season?
“No, nothing special. I like to train and the life I live. I am happy and will just enjoy the spring.”
Setting the training plan for next season will have to wait for a few weeks, but no significant training changes will be expected for Emil Persson.
“You should not change a winning concept,” Persson concludes.
