Mathias Fredriksson is investing another year. The 37-year-old veteran has decided to continue his career and possibly qualify for his last World Championships in Holmenkollen, Oslo.
Mathias and his brother Thobias lost for the first time before start of the last season spots in the Swedish national team. Despite this fact Matthias decided to continue and to prepare without the team support.
"I have taken the decision to run another season. I was considering this back and forth throughout the whole spring. My family supports me and gave me a green light to go for it. " said Matthias on his blog.
After the season Mathias went with family for a holiday in Dubai. Now he is back and starts spring training. Last season did not go as Matthias had hoped but he ha still in mind to qualify for World Championships in Oslo next year.
Mathias Fredriksson made a debut in the World Championships already in Thunder Bay, Canada in 1995 where he finished fourth in the relay. He captured two 15th places in 10 km Classi and 50 km Free. Since then, he has participated in World Championships 1997 (Trondheim), 1999 (Ramsau), 2001 (Lahti), 2003 (Val di Fiemme), 2005 (Oberstdorf) and 2007 (Sapporo).
Personal highlight is undoubtedly silver medal in the 15 km Classic in Lahti 2011. Sweden captured double victory with Per Elofsson winning the gold medal.
Mathias has also participated in four Winter Olympic Games, although he missed the Winter Games in Canada. He took part at the Olympic Games in Lillehammer 1994, where he finished 23rd in the initial 30 km Free which was won by Thomas Alsgaard. Fredriksson did not miss following Games in 1998 (Nagano), 2002 (Salt Lake City) and 2006 (Turin).
Matthias Fredriksson lives in Östersund together with his wife Emma-Helena and their son Philip (born 2006).
Contributed by Kjell Erik Kristiansen, langd.se. Original article HERE.
