Edvin Anger on training partner Linn Svahn: "She's no normal girl"

Linn Svahn and Edvin Anger have teamed up in training. They now share a coach in Ola Ravald, who has worked with Svahn for several years and has also become Anger's personal coach. In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Expressen, both of them praised each other. The quotes are translated from Swedish or Italian.

One coach, shared sessions

The reports give different timings for when this started. Sportbibeln says Ravald has been Anger's personal coach since the spring. Fondoitalia says the training pair came together in the summer around Östersund. According to the Italian outlet, the two have done several sessions together since then, and the arrangement looks set to continue over the coming months.

Anger previously worked with Lars Ljung. Fondoitalia reports that the 23-year-old told Expressen he was "very, very positive" about the change. Sportbibeln calls Anger the big name of the Swedish men's team. The outlet says he went through a dismal season last season and wants to get back to top form and onto World Cup podiums.

Anger: "You have to watch out"

Fondoitalia notes that men and women training together isn't always simple, given the physiological differences. Anger doesn't seem to see a problem with Svahn. "Mmm, but Linn is just so damn good. You have to watch out," he told Expressen. Then he added:

"She's no normal girl. Linn is extremely serious, takes everything very seriously and is very stimulating for one's development. Being around her drives me."

Svahn: "One of the best skiers we have in Sweden"

The 26-year-old returned the compliment. When she was asked whether training with Anger helps her, she said – laughing, according to Fondoitalia: "If you do n-o-t think so, you're on veeery thin ice. He's one of the best skiers we have in Sweden." She said one of Anger's strengths is "that he is so secure in his training".

Svahn then explained what she meant with a much cruder image. She said Anger doesn't get into any macho contests in training. "And that's a strength to have. That way you rarely go astray. And it's good for me to have someone like that around me. Especially if you end up in more pressured situations," she told Expressen.

She also mentioned his physical qualities: "Then there's of course a lot of other things. Purely physiological things – you just have to look at what Edvin looks like."

Season opener on 20 November

According to Fondoitalia, the competitive season for Sweden's national team skiers will begin on 20 November in Bruksvallarna, at the traditional national season opener.