Interview with Swedish sprint star Emil Joensson

Wed, Feb  20, 2008 - By FIS

22-year-old Emil Joensson is the new sprinter star in the Swedish team and the current Sprint World Cup leader. Joensson finished on the podium for the first time last year in Stockholm where he was second and realized his first World Cup victory in a Sprint race earlier this season in Canmore (CAN). The Cross-Country News had a chance to catch up with Emil Joensson after the Team Sprint in Liberec and to look forward to the next competitions.

CCN: Emil, what are your impressions from Liberec and your Pre World Championship race where you finished 5th?

Emil Joensson: Actually I'm satisfied with my shape. I felt good during the competition but Daniel and I lost the connection to the first teams and we weren't able to close the gap. The course was tough but it is a good one.

CCN: The next Cross-Country competition will be in your home country. Are you looking forward to it?

Emil Joensson: Oh, yes, I'm really looking forward to the races in Falun and Stockholm. The tracks in Falum were my home courses for one year and I trained there a lot. I like them very much and I know that the OC will make perfect competitions. The Sprint course in Stockholm is one of my most favorite ones and I have good memories from last year when I finished on the podium for the first time. Besides a nice course, the Royal Sprint in Stockholm has fabulous surroundings. And the atmosphere in my hometown will surely help: A busful will come to cheer for all the athletes and me! I personally wish everyone very warmly welcome to Sweden, the athletes, the fans and the spectators in front of TV enjoy the Cross-Country Sport in Falun and Stockholm


CCN: That sounds good! But what can we expect from Emil Joensson during the last part of the season?

Emil Joensson: (smile) We will see. I will do my best and try to keep the lead in the Sprint World Cup. But for sure it would be nice to be on the podium in one or another race during the last part of the season.