The Elitkampen brings together the best from the Nordic countries every year, and the Swedish horses have had some problems to assert themselves in recent years and it has been quite far between the victories.
This year's winner may be Norwegian-born, but trainer and driver Björn Karlsson is based at the trotting track outside Örnsköldsvik, and the owners are none other than the Sedin hockey family.
-"Unfortunately, the brothers couldn't be here today," said an excited Björn in the winner's circle after the victory, which was worth SEK 500,000.
But dad Tommy Sedin was there, and he reminded the audience that the last time the family as owners celebrated a really big success at the racetrack, it was Nahar in Elitloppet (2013).
- Like today, it was raining at Solvalla, and even though the weather was much worse that time, I think we can rename bad weather on Elitlopp day to Sedin weather from now on!
Bjorn didn't care much about the weather, but concentrated on guiding his horse - and how he did it!
- "It's almost hard to believe that it could work out so perfectly," was his first comment in the winner's circle.
- The weather? Didn't matter to me or my horse, not until we were in the middle of the run-up because by then my driving glasses were completely covered in mud, so I couldn't see anything.
- I know I had time to think "I hope we're first so I haven't made a mistake" and the feeling when the finish line came was indescribably good, says Björn.
Has the horse ever been better was a question that came up.
- No, I don't think so. I've been waiting a year to take his shoes off, and barefoot was perfect!
