Biathlon: Linn Gestblom misses national team camp due to new shoulder issue

Sweden’s biathlon national team is holding its final training camp before the season in Idre this week. Linn Gestblom, however, is not present at the start and will arrive next week.

Gestblom missed the entire previous season after undergoing surgery on her left shoulder. Following a long rehabilitation, she returned to the national team setup and even made a competitive comeback a little over two months ago at the Swedish roller biathlon championships in Lima.

Speaking to SVT Sport while training at home in Torsby (Värmland), Gestblom explained that she is currently rehabbing her right shoulder:

• “I’m rehabbing the shoulder a bit. I felt some pain earlier when we had test races, so I’m at home training and rehabbing. We’ll see which day I join the camp in Idre,” she said.

She emphasized that the left, operated shoulder feels very good: “No, it’s the other shoulder that was sore most recently. The operated shoulder is great.” She added that training conditions in Torsby are good, with the ski tunnel available when it’s pouring rain.

The Swedish Biathlon Federation’s release lists the A‑team athletes present in Idre:

Women: Anna Magnusson, Anna‑Karin Heijdenberg, Ella Halvarsson, Elvira Öberg, Hanna Öberg, Johanna Skottheim, Sara Andersson.

Men: Anton Ivarsson, Jesper Nelin, Malte Stefansson, Martin Ponsiluoma, Sebastian Samuelsson, Viktor Brandt.

Gestblom is expected to link up with the group next week as Sweden finalizes preparations for the World Cup season.