Kristine Stavås Skistad strikes back against Sweden ahead of the sprint in the World Ski Championships

PLANICA. Is Kristine Stavås Skistad favorite in the WC sprint?

That’s how it sounds from the Swedish side.

– They must have lived on Mars, replies the Norwegian star.

On Thursday, the WC begins in earnest with the individual sprint.

The Swedish sprint team is teeming with gold candidates, but yesterday Swedish national team manager Anders Byström singled out Kristine Stavås Skistad, 23, as the favorite for the gold.

After all, she won the last classic World Cup sprint in Les Rousses, France.

The fast-starting Norwegian waved away the favoritism herself.

– They must have lived on Mars for quite a while. They probably didn’t notice that I skied really well for about a quarter of an hour, says Stavås Skistad and shrugs.

– It just gives me energy.

Linn Svahn’s surprise: “Did Byström say that?”

When Sportbladet draws the attention of Swedish sprint star Linn Svahn to Byström’s statement, she is surprised.

– Did Byström say she was the main favourite?

– Yes… she won the last competition, but I still think that we stand here with five skaters at the start because we have the reigning world champion. It’s also pretty much a favorite stamp, says Svahn.

Emma Ribom admits that the Norwegian will be a tough nut to crack.

– What impresses me above all is her speed and explosiveness. How she’s kind of so fast from the start and can really control the field from there. So she has many qualities that impress.

What do you think when she flashes off from the start like she does?

– Yes, there are many times that you don’t really understand how it is possible.

Byström admits: Mindgames

But does Byström really mean that the Norwegian is the real favourite?

– I said so to the Norwegian media. Then you can say things like that, Anders Byström grins.

– Of course, I have the most faith in our skaters. It’s just a fun little thing. But at the same time I think she was really good in France. She is one of the biggest competitors, that should not be overlooked.

Lite mindgames?

– Yes, it’s fun.

The sprint runs Thursday 23/2. The qualifier starts at 12.00 and the quarter-finals at 14.30. The WC is broadcast on TV6 and Viaplay.