It’s been a long 18 months since Linn Gestblom’s (nee Persson) last World Cup competition and most recent shoulder surgery, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Sweden star is training consistently, still at a reduced level but gaining strength each day.

“Hard Decision”

Although she trained with the team last summer, Gestblom made the tough decision in November to sit out the 2024/25 World Cup season. After two major surgeries in two years, more recovery/rehab time would give her the best shot of returning to top form for the Olympic season. “That was a hard decision; a really tough one. It was hard to lose a season. In the beginning when I stopped, we did not have any plan; what to do. I was really lost. Then I got some MRIs and tests. The hardest thing was the waiting for answers and what to do… Making that decision was not the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but one of them!”

A lost season meant missing special moments, “like crossing the finish line; that feeling when you cross the line and feel like you did the perfect race or I am really satisfied with my performance.” As for as wishing she was out there actually competing, “The answer is yes and no! I like that feeling of crossing the finish line, but also know what if feels like before and during a race. Of course, on a wet, rainy day, it felt pretty good being inside. Still, I missed not being there.”

“Happy that I am pain-free”

A winter without biathlon is tough, but doubts about the final outcome from the surgeries was harder, “not knowing if I would be pain-free was a big concern. I did not follow the normal rehab program because it did not really work for me. When I should not have had any pain, I still did, especially in my head. The hardest part was not knowing if I would be pain-free in a normal life; be able to wake up in the morning and do things without a headache. I am so happy that I am now pain-free.”

The time away from biathlon yielded a couple of lessons. “The funny one is that there are a lot of biathlon competitions during the season. Usually, I am competing in half of them and then suddenly, I was watching all of them on TV. I did not have time for anything else! The more serious answer is realizing what it is like to live pain-free.”

Besides watching biathlon and rehabbing, Gestblom kept busy, doing things she would normally miss during the winter. “If my husband or family were doing something, I could join. I have not been able to do that for years. I was not afraid of people if they were a little sick; that was not an excuse to stay home!”

“Nice to train normally”

With the surgeries and full-time rehab in the rearview mirror, the two-time Olympic Relay medalist’s training is progressing. “It is so nice to train normally again. For sure, I’m not at the same level as the group yet. Not as many hours and still some rehab. I feel progress all the time and I am quite fresh. It has been so many years since I have had no pain; some of it was because of compensation. But now I finish a session, I am tired but have no pain anywhere.”

Her main focuses this summer have been, “strength training, building muscles and endurance. I lost a lot of strength with two surgeries, even though the last one was over a year ago.”

“Olympic Team...my main goal”

With a healthy body and training progressing steadily, Gestblom looks forward to the 2025/26 season with “big goals. I want to be on the Olympic team and have good competitions there. That is my main goal. That is the biggest reason I came back. I really want to be able to compete without any injuries. If it works out, I am really open to continue. Now I am here; it is nice to be back; hopeful and I will be fighting for it.”

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus