July 17, 2010 – This year’s annual FIS congress included the selection for the 2015 Nordic World Championships.  Held in Turkey, the finalists included Sweden, Finland, Poland and Germany.  Sweden was smart.  They brought along some of their top athletes to be part of the presentation to bring the Nordic Worlds to Falun.  Nothing like hearing it straight from an athlete’s mouth.  It definitely worked because Sweden beat their key rivals to become the hosts for 2015.  Key in that presentation was Olympic medalist Anna Haag.  She took a short break from her training to talk with us about the World Championships and what it means for the event to come to Sweden.

Congratulations on winning the bid for the 2015 Nordic World Championships. I watched your presentation for Sweden, and Justyna Kowalczyk’s for Poland and it was obvious that the athletes truly cared about being the hosts. Why was it so important for you to bring the Nordic World Championships to Sweden?
Anna Haag: I was born in the region so for me it’s a dream came true having a World Championship in my home region. I remember the last one, 1993, and I think that my interest in cross country skiing grew just because of that. So, for many reasons, I really want to ski and have a championship in Sweden and in Dalarna (the region).

Aren’t there major drawbacks with the Worlds taking place in your own country with far more pressure on the host athletes and the Swedish media can be tough – and likely even tougher with such an event at home?
AH:  I’m pretty sure they’ll be tough, but that is also one of the things that makes it even more special and charming. If you can handle the pressure and take a medal at a championships in the home country, you’ve really make something special and a really fantastic memory for the rest of your life.

Can you describe your role in representing Sweden at the FIS conference and do you think you made much of a difference?
AH: I don’t know. But I think that we (me, Emil and Charlotte) helped a bit. We are young and every one of us will ski (hopefully) in Falun, so everything that we said was true. We really wanted the championship to Sweden!! And we did get it!

You convinced the FIS representatives, can you also persuade North American Masters that it will make for a great vacation to fly to Sweden and attend the Worlds in 2015?
AH: Oh, that’s a hard one. But to see a ski competition “for real” is something really special. And in Falun 2015, there will be a lot of things to do besides just sport. Falun has a lot of culture and great surroundings with a lot to do and see. I think it will be a great experience!

One thing that prevents visitors from attending events like the World Championships is concern that there won’t be places for them to ski while they’re there. Will average folk be able to find nice and convenient trails to ski on in between watching the races?
AH: If there’s a great winter like the last one, there will be a lot of tracks and cozy trails around in the village and neighborhood for skiing.

I have not seen a schedule yet but will it be a realistic option to attend the Worlds in Falun and stay a few more days to be a part of the Vasaloppet?
AH: The management of the Vasaloppet said in Antalya that if Falun got the WCS they will have to move the Vasaloppet for the very first time in history. Ever since the very beginning of this completion it’s been held the first Sunday in March. Otherwise the 50km and the Vasaloppet will be held on the same day. Let’s hope that visitors can both watch the WSC and then ski the Vasaloppet.

Final question. Say a visiting family skis in the morning, watches the races in the afternoon, and want a traditional Swedish dinner that night. What do you recommend at one of Falun’s better restaurants?
AH: They should order grilled elk steak with potatoes – that’s my favorite!