By André Santos
Annika Sjöström is not a new face in the world of cross country skiing. She has some top results at Finnish events, but in season XI Annika will make her debut in Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour – while also working full time as an engineer.
With a lot of experience under her belt, Annika is looking forward to competing against the world’s best long distance skiers in the new Finnish Pro Team, Team ES Endurance.
Hi Annika. Can you tell us how your skiing career has evolved until you become a long distance skier?
“I started skiing when I was a little kid. I was into training and racing during my childhood. When I was about 15 years old, I quitted; I don’t know the answer on why but the ski interest was always there in the background and when I graduated as an engineer, got a full-time job at the age of 23, I suddenly wanted to be back on the racing business.”
“I started to rebuild my shape at the same time that I started my job as a fresh engineer. I can say that it wouldn’t have been bad with some more hours per day. But I loved it and hard work gives results. I competed in shorter distance racing and biathlon, which came into my life in the late ’20s. I started from scratch and so far, my best biathlon performance is 4th place in the Finnish Biathlon Championships. I am not leaving biathlon, but Visma Ski Classics is for sure the next challenge for me.”
You have been able to ski at a high level in one of the most competitive countries in the world while you work full time as an engineer. How do you find the balance?
“Yes, I am a software engineer at Valmet, a Finnish developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. I create new and maintain software programs that control pulp and paper factories and their processes as well as hardware installations.”
“Training and racing have given me a strong mind and body so I can also perform at work. After a tough day at work, it’s so nice to clear your head with an easy long distance training or a though interval session. And also vice versa, everyone knows that sometimes it doesn’t go as you have planned with your training, or racing, and you can feel very disappointed, then it’s really nice to have your job to focus on and not just thinking about skiing.”
Annika at work.
What tips can you give to ambitious long distance skiers who struggle to find that balance?
“If it isn’t fun, then it’s not worth it. I believe that you’ll get greater results in everything you do if you do it with all your heart and enjoy it. And you have to have more things in your life than skiing, otherwise, it gets too serious and you will not reach your full potential. Train hard and race even harder but when you don’t do that, turn off and do something totally different that you love.”
How has your preseason preparation gone so far? How many Pro Tour races will you be doing in season XI?
“My training has been good. I’ve been healthy and I’ve stuck to the plan during the training season. If it’s possible during the covid-19 situation, I’m planning to race the Pro Team Tempo, Toblach-Cortina, La Diagonela, Vasaloppet and Ylläs-Levi. I will also race some smaller long distance events, and normal distances and biathlon races as well. On top of that, I plan to race and take the challenge of Nordenskiöldsloppet in the late spring of 2021.”
What are your thoughts about Visma Ski Classics? What are your expectations for season XI?
“My first thoughts are that Visma Ski Classics gives skiers outside the national teams an opportunity to race against the world’s best long distance skiers and to reach their athletic dreams. Visma Ski Classics has also increased the popularity of long distance skiing around the world. I’m looking forward to race my first season in Visma Ski Classics with the Finnish Pro Team, Team ES Endurance, and get to know where my level is against the other strong girls in the Pro Tour.
Finally, what do you like to do besides skiing?
“I love to spend time on the sea and at my summer cottage. I also love to do smaller renovation and building projects.”
