No support after a brutal accident?: Ski ace rails against the Swedish federation

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Lisa Hörnblad (27) has not had any bad luck in recent years. The Swedish speed specialist suffered serious injuries and had to undergo seven knee operations between 2018 and 2022. She reached her lowest point in December 2022. At that time, she suffered from blood poisoning after her last knee operation, which almost meant the end of her career.

Hörnblad spoke at the time about the ‘worst pain of my life’. “I thought they had to amputate my leg. It felt like it was going to explode.” But she was lucky. And among other things, he found his way back to the slopes with the help of autologous blood treatment. She wanted to give her body a “last chance”, she told broadcaster SVT this spring .

And once again, adversity stands in the way

And her body seems to take advantage of this opportunity. The 32-time World Cup starter was able to train regularly in the summer and got back into competitive shape. But now, at the start of the 2023/24 ski season, obstacles are once again in the way. This time they have no health character.

Because: Hörnblad complains in a recent interview with SVT about a lack of support from the Swedish Ski Association. The 2018 Olympic competitor has neither a coach nor a supervisor – even though the season has already started. “I find it frustrating and unfair that there is a clear plan for some, while others like me get nothing.” The fact that not everyone received the same conditions was “unacceptable”.

Bridging training for the technicians

To get fit for the winter despite the lack of personnel, Hörnblad trained with the team of technicians in preparation. The speed specialist hasn’t been on downhill skis all fall. «The association constantly tried to maintain my hope. They said they were working on a solution, but it never came,” she accuses. Mentally it is an extremely stressful situation.

Lars Melin, head of the Swedish national ski team, does not want these accusations to stand. Until you can be sure that Hörnblad’s knees will hold up, there is no point in creating an individual team structure around it, he argues. “She was with the technicians all autumn, now we will see how her knee reacts to a little faster driving. We want her knee to get in shape before we make a plan.” (sbe)

Source : Blick