Skiing: Joakim Abrahamsson is the new head coach of the Finnish national skiing team

Swedish Joakim Abrahamsson is the new head coach of the Finnish national skiing team. He has signed a 2+2 year contract with the Ski Federation.

The Ski Federation confirmed Abrahamsson’s selection on Wednesday. Through Finnish skiers, he will become the second foreign head coach.

The previous foreign pilot was Norwegian Magnar Dalenwho served as Finland’s commander in 2006–2014.

Dalen was involved in Abrahamsson’s recruitment process. Abrahamsson told the press conference that the first contact with Finland came through Dalen.

– Magnar asked if it was OK if the Finnish Ski Federation approached me, Abrahamsson said.

The approach was welcome. Abrahamsson said he was very happy with his new job.

– It is an honor to be part of Finnish skiing, Abrahamsson stated.

55 years old Abrahamsson is the former head coach of Sweden, under whom the blue and yellow rink heroes won 15 Olympic and World Cup medals. He was chosen as Sweden’s coach of the year in 2010 together Magnus Ingessonin with.

Abrahamsson retired as Sweden’s head coach in 2012. In recent years, he has worked as the top sports director of the University of Lulea. At the university, Abrahamsson was mainly responsible for cross-country skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing.

Abrahamsson said his home will continue to be in Sweden.

– But I will certainly spend a lot of time in Finland, he said.

Finland current head coach Teemu Pasanen will leave his position after this season. Also a women’s team coach Reijo Jylhä moves to the side.

The ski association’s top sports director Petter Kukkonen said that about twenty names from Finland and abroad were mapped for the head coach of cross-country skiing.

The goal was to find a strong leader who can, among other things, pilot Finland through the next generational change in top skiing.

The Ski Association wanted to find a new head coach in good time, so that the skiers and their coaches could be assured of the future. It was also wanted to make the announcement soon.

– We wanted to give the team peace of mind before the Olympics. I hope this clears the table, Kukkonen said.