Paragraph 1: Culinary Delights and Festive Gatherings
Christmas traditions for these winter athletes often revolve around cherished culinary experiences and the warmth of family gatherings. Jens Burman, a cross-country skier, finds joy in preparing homemade rice porridge, a departure from the instant varieties, preferring it with a simple topping of cinnamon and sugar. Anna Magnusson, a biathlete, savors the tradition of her mother preparing a warm Christmas ham the night before Christmas Eve. For Johanna Hagström, another cross-country skier, the essence of Christmas lies in being with family, a sentiment echoed by David Mobärg, a ski cross athlete, who appreciates the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones after extended travel. Oliwer Magnusson, a freeskier, relishes the abundance of the traditional Christmas buffet, highlighting classic dishes like prince sausage, ham sandwiches, meatballs, and potato salad.
Paragraph 2: Embracing the Outdoors and Winter Activities
The snowy landscapes and crisp air of Christmas inspire many of these athletes to incorporate outdoor activities into their festive celebrations. Sven Thorgren, a snowboarder, maintains a family tradition of an outdoor bath and sauna session after breakfast, regardless of the weather conditions. Jesper Tjäder, a freeskier, prioritizes skiing on Christmas Eve, considering it an essential part of his holiday experience. Walter Wallberg, a mogul skier, enjoys cross-country skiing with his family on Christmas morning. Sara Andersson, a biathlete, partakes in a long cross-country ski trip with her family in the scenic Norra Garberg region of Mora, Sweden. Ebba Andersson, also a cross-country skier, values a Christmas morning ski session, preferably in her hometown of Sollefteå with her family.
Paragraph 3: Simple Pleasures and Childhood Nostalgia
The athletes also find joy in the simple pleasures and nostalgic traditions of Christmas. Elvira Öberg, a biathlete, appreciates the cozy atmosphere of "glöggmys," enjoying mulled wine, gingerbread cookies, and Christmas candies. Sebastian Samuelsson, another biathlete, emphasizes the significance of the Christmas tree, particularly now as a new parent, seeking to revive childhood traditions. Anna Swenn-Larsson, an alpine skier, enjoys watching the classic Disney Christmas special "Kalle Anka," even resorting to streaming it with a VPN when abroad. Henrik Harlaut, a freeskier, cherishes watching the annual Christmas calendar television series, a tradition he hopes to resume. Novalie Engholm, a snowboarder, also considers "Kalle Anka" a must-see Christmas tradition. Edvin Anger, a cross-country skier, shares the same sentiment, adding Christmas candies to his list of beloved traditions. Cornelia Öhlund, an alpine skier, enjoys the ritual of watching "Kalle Anka," followed by presents and Christmas dinner.
Paragraph 4: Homemade Treats and Festive Preparations
The spirit of Christmas is also embodied in the preparation of homemade treats and festive decorations. Frida Westman, a ski jumper, enjoys making Christmas candies and decorating the Christmas tree with her family. Kristoffer Jakobsen, an alpine skier, values the unique Swedish tradition of drinking julmust, a non-alcoholic Christmas beverage not readily available elsewhere in Europe. Viktor Brandt, a biathlete, has a year-round fondness for "juleskum" (Christmas foam candy), often stocking up or seeking it out whenever available. Alvin Noaksson, a telemark skier, appreciates the simple pleasure of eating thin bread, often enjoying it with ham, butter, and apple sauce.
Paragraph 5: Adapting Traditions to a Demanding Schedule
The demanding schedules of these athletes often require them to adapt their Christmas traditions. Jonna Sundling, a cross-country skier, acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining traditions due to being away from home, but fondly remembers spending Christmas with her grandparents. Linn Svahn, also a cross-country skier, struggles to fully experience Christmas due to her intense training regime, often resorting to skiing on Christmas Day. Moa Ilar, another cross-country skier, has not had a proper Christmas celebration in five years, relying on FaceTime to connect with family. William Poromaa, a cross-country skier, values being home with his family for Christmas, as recent years have seen him training at high altitudes in the Alps during the holidays.
Paragraph 6: Uniquely Personal Traditions and Hopes for the Future
Finally, some athletes cherish uniquely personal traditions or express hopes for a healthier and more traditional Christmas. Ella Halvarsson, a biathlete, enjoys a high-stakes Christmas gift game involving dice rolls and the possibility of ending up empty-handed. Hanna Öberg, a biathlete, looks forward to a healthy Christmas with her partner, Martin Ponsiluoma (also a biathlete), after two years of illness during the holidays. Calle Halfvarsson, a cross-country skier, values spending Christmas with family and relatives in a wintry setting. Martin Ponsiluoma maintains a tradition of visiting a memorial grove with his family on Christmas Eve. Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, a biathlete, enjoys a pre-Christmas Eve gathering with her boyfriend and his siblings, indulging in treats and watching Bingolotto.
