Cross‑country skiing: Nightmare for Alvar Myhlback — broke pole immediately

A nightmare start for Alvar Myhlback in the sprint quarterfinals on the upcoming Olympic course.

The 19‑year‑old broke his pole immediately, fell well behind and was then knocked out.

"My first thought is that it's over, I can just forget this, turn my back and go home," he told SVT Sport.

Myhlback had been the best Swede in the sprint qualifying in Val di Fiemme, finishing tenth. But in the quarterfinal he broke his pole right away and started the heat a long way back.

"My first thought is that it's over, I can just forget this, turn my back and go home," he told SVT Sport and continued: "But then something inside me said 'I'm going to bloody do this'. Still, it's a huge task."

The 19‑year‑old fought through the race and almost caught the pack, but crossed the line last in his quarterfinal and was therefore eliminated.

"It's only a few metres and I'm with them, and then not many can beat me in a sprint," he said.

Edvin Anger was also eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The best Swedish result came from Anton Grahn – who produced a surprise by finishing third in the final.

Ahead of Sunday's conclusion, Edvin Anger is the best‑placed Swede in the overall standings, currently sixth and 1:55 behind leader Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.