Published 2024-02-17 13.06
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Calle Halfvarsson can hope for his own fan club in Minneapolis.
He has emigrant relatives.
– I don’t really know how many, says Halfvarsson.
It was during Friday’s press conference before the weekend’s competitions that a reporter drew Halfvarsson’s attention to a couple of place names in Minnesota. Not far from Minneapolis, where the World Cup competitions take place, are Mora and Falun Township.
That Swedes emigrated to these areas was not a new fact for Halfvarsson.
– I know I have relatives from here, he says and continues:
– I don’t really know how many, but I do know that I have relatives from this particular area near Minneapolis.
“Maybe have a clue”
Halfvarsson’s grandfather has done genealogical research and made contact with the emigrant relatives who also visited in Sweden.
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fullscreenMinneapolis. Photo: Getty Images
– We’ll see if anyone comes and cheers me on, says Halfvarsson.
He has no idea how long ago his relatives emigrated, but knows that many moved to the United States from his grandmother’s hometown of Venjan.
– I know the names of some, but there are none I have contact with or know very well. But they know that I ski and may be aware that there are competitions, says Halfvarsson.
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full screen Calle Halfvarsson. Photo: Mathias Bergeld / Bildbyrån
William Poromaa also has relatives in the USA. Who has traveled there now.
– The only thing I know is that my aunt and her boyfriend are here, so I have some relatives. But they have gone over. I haven’t had time to do family research yet, but Calle is always one step ahead, says Poromaa and laughs.
Folk festival awaits
The Swedes notice a great interest in skiing in the area.
– It seems that many people think it’s a lot of fun when you’re out on the town. You notice it that way, and there were quite a few people out at the tracks already today. It sounds like it will be a real folk festival and we are looking forward to that, says Poromaa.
– It’s a really nice place to compete. It will be fun to compete this weekend, says Linn Svahn.
On Saturday, there are sprints, with a qualifier starting at 5 p.m. Then there is a distance race with an individual start on Sunday.
