Cross-country: Moa Lundgren wanted selection – flew herself to the Davos World Cup

Swedish cross-country skier Moa Lundgren was omitted from the national team for last weekend’s World Cup in Trondheim. Frustrated but determined, she and her boyfriend booked flights to Davos on Thursday on their own initiative, hoping she might be drafted into the team for the upcoming World Cup races.

According to Lundgren, the plan was that in the best case she would be selected; in the worst case she could at least get several days of high‑altitude training. In the end, the best case happened for her: she did not receive a sprint start but was given a place for Sunday’s 10 km race in Davos.

She informed national coach Stefan Thomson about her trip before leaving. He joked that they had to be clear she was “absolutely not selected,” which she acknowledged, but she still wanted to seize the chance to train at altitude and be available if an opening appeared.

The 27‑year‑old said she has felt in good shape and was deeply disappointed to miss Trondheim. Making the self‑funded trip to Switzerland was, as she put it, a way to turn the setback into a small personal adventure—and it ultimately paid off with a World Cup start in Davos.