Among other things, she won a World Championships silver medal together with Charlotte Kalla, Stina Nilsson, and Sofia Bleckur. 

“I was a reserve at home and wasn’t supposed to be at the World Championships. But I got the call and left two days before it started,” says Maria Rydqvist, who has now moved to the World Championship city where she has such fond memories. 

Two Top 10 World Championship Races 

She got the chance in the skiathlon, where she surprisingly finished in 9th place. Then came the 10km freestyle race in snowy weather and tricky waxing conditions. The Norwegians completely misjudged the waxing, and suddenly, everything was open. 

American Caitlin Gregg, starting with bib number 3, was unknown to most of the 40,000 spectators at Lugnet, but she took the lead, and it turned out to be a difficult time to beat in the snowy conditions. Maria Rydqvist delivered a fantastic race and was only 1.7 seconds behind the unknown American. 

It was enough for 4th place on what still became a jubilant day for Sweden. Charlotte Kalla outclassed the entire field, winning by 41 seconds over Jessica Diggins, while Gregg took the bronze. 

World Championship Silver in the Relay 

The result earned Rydqvist a spot in the Swedish relay team. She was placed on the third leg, up against none other than Norway’s Therese Johaug. Finland had the experienced Riitta-Liisa Roponen. 

And “Rydan” impressed again, even though Johaug pulled away, and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen secured the gold for Norway. Sweden won the sprint battle for the silver. Stina Nilsson fought off Krista Pärmäkoski, and suddenly, reserve Maria Rydqvist stood with a World Championship silver, a 4th place, and a 9th place. 

“It was amazing to be part of. Everything was so exciting, and I think it boosted our confidence,” she explains of the sudden success, where perhaps she and Sofia Bleckur were the biggest surprises of the championships. 

Originally from Småland 

Maria Rydqvist was a talent at a young age. She was nurtured by OK Vivill in Smålandsstenar, with an older brother who was also a huge talent. Then the journey continued to Borlänge and Domnarvets GoIF. 

As a junior, she won silver in the Junior World Championships in the 15km freestyle – also on home soil, this time in Sollefteå. 

Already in 2005, Maria won two Swedish Championship bronzes, and she dominated in freestyle. She was close to two medals at the U23 World Championships in Kranj in 2006 but narrowly missed the podium both times. 

After that, her career had some ups and downs until the breakthrough days in Falun during the 2015 World Championships. She continued for two more years but ended her career in 2017. 

Building Houses in the Mountains Today 

“Rydan” already had children when she competed in Falun in 2015, and after her career, the family moved to her husband Bengt Leandersson’s hometown of Älvdalen. Maria had already started her business of building holiday homes in the mountains and selling them. 

She continues with that, mostly in Grönklitt and Idre. But recently, the family moved to Falun. 

“There wasn’t anything specific that drew us here, but we think it’s a nice city. Besides, we had been in Älvdalen for quite a few years now,” she says to Langd.se. 

“I’ve found my industry and enjoy working with holiday homes. Maybe we’ll build around Falun too eventually. Today, we have four full-time employees in the company plus some freelancers.” 

Maria Rydqvist misses the competition and being in top form. But now, she can just go up to Lugnet, close her eyes, and dream back to those World Championship days in 2015… 

MARIA RYDQVIST – Facts 

• Born: 1983 
• Lives: Has just moved to Falun from Älvdalen. 
• Occupation: Runs Vildhem Bostadsutveckling, which builds homes in the mountains. 
• Family: Bengt Leandersson and daughters Wilda, 14, and Charlize, 11. 
• Clubs: OK Vivill Smålandsstenar, Domnarvets GoIF, Stockviks SF, Bergeforsens SK, Östersunds SK, Älvdalens IF. 
• Retired: 2017. 
• Best memory: The 2015 World Championships in Falun. 
• Misses: Being in top form and the ultimate high after a great race. 
• Follows sports: Through her daughters’ skiing. Sometimes I watch a lot of skiing, other times not as much. 
• Hobbies: Mainly the family’s sports activities. 

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