Thus, he competed in only one World Championships at home in Falun in 2015. After retiring, Carl Quicklund quickly disappeared from the scene as a top skier.

“Yes, I quit directly at New Year 2017 when I felt that my body wasn’t quite right, and I didn’t have a chance to qualify for the World Championships in Lahti. I moved to Stockholm in February that year, and I’m still here,” says the Östersund native who became a powerful sprinter. But it was in the junior class that he was at his best.

“Thord Eric Nilsson, who knows everything about results, reminded me not long ago that I still hold the record for the same Junior Swedish Championships. It was in Borås 2012, and I won three individual golds, the relay, and two team golds,” Carl tells Langd.se.

The World Championships in Falun is the Highlight

“The highlight for me was competing in the World Championships in Falun. I have a 15th place in the World Cup from Otepää in Estonia, and I made around 38-40 World Cup starts,” says the former ÖSK skier. In addition to the 6 Junior Swedish Championships golds from 2012, he won another 3 golds at JSM.

However, the transition to the senior level didn’t go quite as expected.

“I don’t really know why; it’s a good question. But I had many problems with my body,” says Carl Quicklund.

Must Return to Östersund

“Today, I work in sales within IT, and my girlfriend Johanna and I have just bought an apartment in Vasastan. I enjoy Stockholm, but I have to go back to Östersund regularly. There, I meet many of those I skied with. Anders Södergren and I usually race against each other on Christmas Day every year, but he still beats me,” Carl laughs.

“I still train and am out 5-6 days a week. But there are no more competitions. It’s a different life in Stockholm, and there’s no snow here.”

Keeps in touch with Calle

Carl Quicklund skied with his older brother Oscar, who now works as a real estate agent.

“Yes, he’s back in Östersund but will move back to Stockholm in the fall,” says Carl about Oscar, who spent a short period doing Thai boxing (!) in Asia.

And with mom Saila, a member of Parliament from Jämtland and a former active member of the Ski Association, it’s clear that skiing is still a big topic in the Quicklund family.

“I still have good contact with Calle Halfvarsson; he’s the one with whom I became best friends within the national team,” says IT consultant Carl Quicklund.

CARL QUICKLUND

Born/Age: 28.01.1992/32 years
Residence: Vasastan, Stockholm
Occupation: Key Account Manager, Consid (IT consultancy company)
Family: Partner (girlfriend Johanna), mother, father, and brother.
Club as an Active Athlete: Östersunds SK
Ended Career: January 2017
My Best Memories from my Career: I’ll list three:
1. The World Championships in Falun, the whole experience
2. When I won all the golds at JSM 2012
3. The form I had when I was 3rd in the 15km F in the Scandinavian Cup in Meråker 2014
What I miss from my Active Career: The nature in the Alps during our autumn camps. A cold and foggy morning in Toblach that clears up after an hour into sunshine and +20°C.
How I Follow the Sport Today: Mainly from TV and the FIS app but also a lot with/via Calle Halfvarsson, with whom I’m still close. And, of course, it’s nice to ski a few kilometers with our active skiers at ÖSK when I’m up there.
My Hobbies Today: Training is my primary need and interest to feel good, making it my hobby and something I need to feel well. I try to be “home” in Östersund every 4-6 weeks and then get as much skiing/roller skiing as possible. Skiing is and will always be my great interest.

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