HENMARK sponsors Ski Team Sweden Grassski

Downhill skiing on grass? It might sound a little crazy, but it's actually nothing new. For almost a hundred years, people have hurled themselves down snow-free slopes with wheels underfoot. And who knows, maybe it's the future of downhill skiing in an increasingly warm world.

Grass skiing has existed for many years as a complement to regular alpine skiing. But only in September 2021 did grass skiing become an official sport and part of the Swedish Skiing Association. Now the sport is growing primarily in central and southern Europe, but also in Sweden we now have a hard-working national team.

Since last spring, HENMARK has been a proud sponsor of Ski Team Sweden Grasski.

The Swedish national team consists of two skaters, Calle Söderlund and Edvard Nord. Calle works full-time, but Edvard has taken a leave of absence this year to focus fully on skiing.

Grass skiing is very similar to alpine skiing. The equipment consists of standard slalom boots, but the skis are significantly shorter and consist of caterpillar-like bands around a rail and are approximately 10 cm high. Skiing is quite similar to normal skiing but with the small difference that you can't do belays. Instead, you stop by making a "fish hook" to stop the skis.

According to Calle Söderlund, the biggest challenge is to really dare to go. It is important to overcome the fear because if you get speed on the skis, it will be very similar to alpine skiing. As soon as you throw yourself down, all you have to do is enjoy it, he says.

The small and new Swedish national team ended a record-breaking season last weekend in Marbach, Switzerland. The summer has offered good results from the two-man national team. Edvard Nord became the first Swede to reach a top 10 position in the World Cup and Calle Söderlund took two 13th places at the WC. Although the World Cup season is now over, the Czech Cup awaits before the riders completely finish the season.