The World Cup in orienteering has reached its final station and it is still with a determined mind that Hanna Lundberg hopes for new great successes in Cansiglio and Cortina in northern Italy.
Only when the last competition of the season is over will she allow herself to enjoy and look back on the year that meant her big breakthrough with the sensational World Cup victory in Idre as the main highlight.
– I think I will land in it after the season, but it is clear that I have had time to reflect a bit on it. It was still over a month ago, says Hanna Lundberg who is third in the total summary.
Have you been able to admit that you have taken the step into the world elite?
– Both yes and no. It is intense competition during the season and it is important to take one competition at a time and quickly leave what you have done behind you. That way, I have not had time to take it in.
How do you see the breakthrough in Idre in retrospect?
– I see it as if I showed that I can, both for myself but also for others. That I’m someone to count on. But now it’s just trying to forget it and focus on a new race, quite simply.
It’s been a busy one year where Hanna Lundberg from Luleå has established herself as a senior in both the European Championships and the World Cup contexts. The very surprising victory in the middle distance in August, where she beat the superstar Tove Alexandersson, among others, was followed up with two gold and one silver at the JVM in Turkey – and in the career’s only third World Cup competition, the feat from Idre can be repeated.
– This is actually something completely new. I had not been abroad that much at all before this year. Now I have had the opportunity to be away on some so it is clear that I am starting to gain some experience, but this type of environment is completely new. This is the biggest challenge so far this season.
– Hanna Lundberg after the victory in the middle distance in Idre.
Photo: Nisse Schmidt / TT
Despite the fact that the Italian forest terrain is unknown to her, she finds security in her previous achievements. That feeling, however, did not occur when the season began.
– I feel confident that I have something to do here and maybe I did not this spring. Then it was more that you questioned yourself. Now I’m not as afraid of failure, I’m just testing to see if it works or not.
In what way did you question yourself?
– As an athlete, you want to do things better all the time. Then the question is always: Is this good enough? When we had a pandemic without competitions, it was very difficult to know where you stood. They had not competed that much and so all of a sudden I would do a senior competition. Then I simply did not want to do away with myself.
Despite infectious outdoor conditions orienteering was severely affected by pandemic restrictions and was banned for a long period from hosting major competitions. Hanna Lundberg, however, was not idle for that.
– There have been much smaller competitions than usual. I usually ski a lot in the winter, which I now could not do. Then I took the opportunity to run more running, which allowed me to build a larger foundation for it. It has still been favorable for me.
– I have gained continuity and worked to get better at my weaknesses. It has lifted me.
What do you need to get better at?
– Partly the physical. I have a step up to the next level so that I can be involved and fight in more terrains. I may be beginning to understand the Swedish terrain, but this opportunity to be here in Italy is worth its weight in gold. There I have a lot to develop.
Regarding their strengths Among other things, Hanna Lundberg highlights her forehead bone – and that is exactly what will hopefully take her really far and give her a long career.
– I may not be the fastest in a ten-minute race – but I have a heavenly drive when I enter the forest, she points out.
– I bet one hundred … no, one hundred percent. I want to do what it takes to be as good as I can ever be. Then if there are those that are faster I can not influence. But I am willing to do what it takes to get better. It is inspiring to be at this age, because I always see that there is potential for improvement. You just want to work on getting better and I hope I have kept it going for many years to come.
The World Cup final in Cansiglio and Cortina takes place between 30 September and 3 October. Hanna Lundberg competes in all competitions, long and medium distance and sprint relay.