June 28, 2010 – Swedish warhorse Mathias Fredriksson, a veteran of four past Olympics, is hoping to make his final stand at the upcoming World Cup in Holmenkollen this winter. After a disappointing season, missing the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, he says he’s determined to go down swinging. He’s already well on his way, telling langd.se that he “is significantly better than at the same time last year.”

Mathias Fredriksson (Swe) leads the train at Camore in 2005 © Pam Doyle

At this time last year he was dealing with a seriously injured arm, the result of a terrible rollerski crash that played a major role in keeping him from the start line at Callaghan Valley. “This year it has gone much better, I’m running far ahead of where I was at the same time a year ago,” says the 37-year-old.

With this being his second year outside of the Swedish national program, it will be a serious challenge and a major commitment for the 2006 Olympic bronze medallist and 2003 overall World Cup winner.

“But I feel good, I am motivated and obviously hope to be able to fight for a place at the World Championships in Oslo,” he said. Things are already looking up following last weekend’s Tour de Trondelag, where Fredriksson was close behind fellow Swede, Anders Sodergren – read more here.