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A new start for Hans Olsson
August 1st will mark the beginning of a set of new challenges for Swedish speed specialist Hans Olsson as he will begin to work for Åre 2019 AB, the company that will plan and implement the Alpine World Ski Championships in Åre 2019.
Olsson’s involvement with Are 2019 means he will no longer pursue his skiracing career. This decision comes after three seasons tainted by numerous injuries, which have made him unable to perform at the level he wanted.
“We think it's incredibly fun to be able to hire a former athlete to be involved in the operational aspects of the World Championships. We value his experience and the knowledge he has accumulated in the eleven years he competed in World Cup. He will initially be involved in many different aspects of the organization,” Niklas Carlsson, CEO of Åre 2019 AB said.
Olsson made his World Cup debut in 2004 at the World Cup in Kvitfjell, Norway, competed in a total of 155 World Cup races and represented Sweden at the Olympic Games in Whistler 2010 and three World Championships (Are 2007, Val d’Isere 2009, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 2011).
Olsson’s best results are two third places in the World Cup downhill races in Lake Louise and Åre.
“Although I have not won any championships medals, I see myself as successful. I cannot imagine that many have enjoyed and had as much fun racing as I did during my eleven years in World Cup. All the friends and family I have gained around the globe are incredible, all the laughs I shared with my opponents and friends. Those have been great times so I feel this is a new start, rather than the end,” Olsson said about his decision.
“When Niklas asked me if I wanted to jump on the Are 2019 train it didn’t take long for a wide smile to spread across my face, I have such a big passion for this adrenaline-filled and action packed sport, that this was an obvious choice for me,” Olsson continued.
Olsson has been the front man of the Swedish speed team and will certainly be missed in the upcoming seasons.
“From the Federation’s side, obviously we want to thank Hans for all the years he has invested into Swedish alpine skiing. I hope that in the future we can find a cooperation where we can work together with Hans and use his experience to help our younger speed racers. We wish him luck with the new job and everything what's to come in the future,” Alpine Director Ville Bylin said.
Don't miss this humorous video Olsson posted announcing his retirement.
Unfortunately, Olsson is not the only Swedish speed skier to bid farewell to the sport this April. 25-year-old speed hopeful Douglas Hedin, who had missed the past season due to injury decided he won’t be back on skis next season.
Hedin’s World Cup debut came in 2012 in the Kvitfjell downhill but his main focus was on the Europa Cup circuit where his best result is a third place in the Wengen downhill.
“The best moment’s I’ll remember from my racing career are my 21st position in the Beaver Creek World Cup, the third place in the Wengen Europa Cup and when at the Norwegian Championships a few years ago I beat Aksel Lund Svindal in the downhill,” Hedin said.
The FIS family wishes Hans and Douglas all the best with their future project and is looking forward to working with Hans in the years leading to the Åre 2019 World Championships.
Olsson’s involvement with Are 2019 means he will no longer pursue his skiracing career. This decision comes after three seasons tainted by numerous injuries, which have made him unable to perform at the level he wanted.
“We think it's incredibly fun to be able to hire a former athlete to be involved in the operational aspects of the World Championships. We value his experience and the knowledge he has accumulated in the eleven years he competed in World Cup. He will initially be involved in many different aspects of the organization,” Niklas Carlsson, CEO of Åre 2019 AB said.
Olsson made his World Cup debut in 2004 at the World Cup in Kvitfjell, Norway, competed in a total of 155 World Cup races and represented Sweden at the Olympic Games in Whistler 2010 and three World Championships (Are 2007, Val d’Isere 2009, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 2011).
Olsson’s best results are two third places in the World Cup downhill races in Lake Louise and Åre.
“Although I have not won any championships medals, I see myself as successful. I cannot imagine that many have enjoyed and had as much fun racing as I did during my eleven years in World Cup. All the friends and family I have gained around the globe are incredible, all the laughs I shared with my opponents and friends. Those have been great times so I feel this is a new start, rather than the end,” Olsson said about his decision.
“When Niklas asked me if I wanted to jump on the Are 2019 train it didn’t take long for a wide smile to spread across my face, I have such a big passion for this adrenaline-filled and action packed sport, that this was an obvious choice for me,” Olsson continued.
Olsson has been the front man of the Swedish speed team and will certainly be missed in the upcoming seasons.
“From the Federation’s side, obviously we want to thank Hans for all the years he has invested into Swedish alpine skiing. I hope that in the future we can find a cooperation where we can work together with Hans and use his experience to help our younger speed racers. We wish him luck with the new job and everything what's to come in the future,” Alpine Director Ville Bylin said.
Don't miss this humorous video Olsson posted announcing his retirement.
Unfortunately, Olsson is not the only Swedish speed skier to bid farewell to the sport this April. 25-year-old speed hopeful Douglas Hedin, who had missed the past season due to injury decided he won’t be back on skis next season.
Hedin’s World Cup debut came in 2012 in the Kvitfjell downhill but his main focus was on the Europa Cup circuit where his best result is a third place in the Wengen downhill.
“The best moment’s I’ll remember from my racing career are my 21st position in the Beaver Creek World Cup, the third place in the Wengen Europa Cup and when at the Norwegian Championships a few years ago I beat Aksel Lund Svindal in the downhill,” Hedin said.
The FIS family wishes Hans and Douglas all the best with their future project and is looking forward to working with Hans in the years leading to the Åre 2019 World Championships.
Source: fis-ski.com
