Swedish Freeski Team Announced
It is now clear who will represent the Swedish freeski national team next winter - a season that culminates with the Olympics in Milan/Cortina in February 2026. A mix of superstars and new young talents make up the A and U national teams, respectively, and everything points to an exciting season.
After an injury-filled season last year, several of the national team's biggest stars are now on their way back and preparing for a revenge-filled Olympic season. Jesper Tjäder and Henrik Harlaut – both with bronze medals from the Beijing Olympics 2022 – have been selected again for the A national team along with Oliwer Magnusson, who is also on his way back after an injury period.
Axel Burmansson is stepping up to the A-team after an impressive season where he showed he belongs among the world elite. In the absence of the more experienced skaters, he stepped up and delivered several strong results – not least a 13th place at the World Championships – and is now rewarded with a place in the highest national team group.
"Getting to take a step up to the A-team feels really fun, it's exactly what you've been fighting for since you started skiing. So this was a really good "boost" for the summer season and the bare-ground training, so the motivation is at its peak and I can't wait to start skiing again in a few months", says Axel Burmansson.
With several World Cup finals and the experience from the World Championships under his belt, he has now set his sights on the next big step in his career – the Olympics in Milan/Cortina.
"Next season I want to continue to take final places in the World Cup competitions and manage to take a place at the Milan/Cortina Olympics in 2026. It would have been a dream come true so I will simply do everything I can to get there. Apart from that, it is the same goal that I have had every season since I started, to develop as a skier and have extreme fun while doing it," says Axel Burmansson.
A-national team 2025/2026
Jesper Tjäder, Östersund-Frösö SLK
Henrik Harlaut, Åre SLK
Oliwer Magnusson, Östersund-Frösö SLK
Axel Burmansson, Sälens IF
The U-17 national team consists of four talented skaters who all have the potential to break into the world elite. Martin Nordqvist retains his place after a solid season, and both Erik Jonsson and Tova Stål are back after injury absences.
"The rehab is progressing and I am training hard now during the summer. I hope and aim to be able to start skiing in October, Kläppen's autumn park usually opens around then so I am aiming for it to open for my first turns. Then I think I have to be quite humble with the goals for the season before I know how it feels on snow. The goal will probably be to come back, get comfortable and maybe start competing again in the spring", says Tova Stål.
17-year-old Victor Knutsen takes a place in the national team
Victor Knutsen is joining the U-17 national team as a new skater. Last year, he had his big breakthrough with double medals at the European Youth Olympics – bronze in slopestyle and silver in big air – and also impressed when he got the chance to compete with the world elite at the World Championships.
"Being part of the squad feels exciting, I got a little taste of it at the World Championships as the youngest, so it will be fun to ride a whole season with the “big guys”. It will be a fun journey," says Victor Knutsen.
Ahead of his first season on the national team, he is looking forward to developing with the help of the more experienced skaters on the team.
"I'm looking forward to riding with everyone, learning more about everything that it means to do this and trying to inspire people. My biggest goals are to have good motivation, stay injury-free and most importantly, have fun. Then of course I hope to be able to ride well and perform at competitions," says Victor Knutsen.
U-17 national team 2025/2026
Martin Nordqvist, Riksgränsen snowboard and ski club (RISK)
Erik Jonsson, Sälens IF
Victor Knutsen, IFK Falun Alpin
Tova Stål, IFK Falun Alpin
With the Olympics in Milan/Cortina as the big highlight of the winter, an intense and exciting season awaits the Swedish national team, where the younger skaters get the chance to establish themselves among the world elite and the experienced stars aim to find top form at the right time.
"We have a nice mix in this year's team, with both experience and future. Our biggest hope is that everyone can stay injury-free and develop during the season – then we know the results will come", says national team captain Oscar Wester.
- National captain: Oscar Wester
- Assistant coach: Morten Grape
- Development national team: Calle Eneflo
