The Recruit

It's been a couple years since Zackarias Toresson was a member of the UAA Ski Team, but it still seems like it was only yesterday.  And in fact, it was only a few months ago that we finished off the last of the Swedish Aquavit that Zacke gave us as a gift when he left Alaska. 

Marine and Erik

Of course it hasn't been the same around here without Zacke, who came to us with a strong recommendation from his former Alvsbyns teammate and former Seawolf, Viktor Brannmark.  Viktor left us long before Zacke did, to chase his dream of skiing in Sweden's national team colors. 

Zacke advised me to be cautious around the Baske Droppar that he left with us. Jo didn't get the word.

But recently, the former Seawolves' paths crossed again.  After a series of disappointing results in some Swedish domestic races made it clear to Viktor that he would not qualify for this year's World Cup races in Falun, and after his girlfriend Jenny, racing for Team Ramudden won La Diagonela (you remember - the race where everyone was losing fingers and toes to frostbite) by four minutes, Viktor decided to pack up the car and drive to Italy for a 11-day quarantine/Covid-style pre-Swedish Nationals training camp in the Dolomites that would conclude with the Marcialonga, the marathon race in Val di Fiemme. 

Viktor drives a car with his name on it.

Zacke. The night before Marcialonga. Preparing snacks.

But it's a long drive from central Sweden to Italy. Sometimes I ask myself a hypothetical question:  If I had to make a long drive in a car, who would I want to go with me, sitting beside me and talking all those hours? Someone who wouldn't get on my nerves or want to stop every half-hour for a pee break. Someone who wouldn't be afraid to discuss the deep philosophical and moral questions of our time? Someone who I would like more even more at the end of the trip than at the beginning, for the inquisitive questions and enlightening answers posed and pondered during the trip? For me, (and probably for you, too, if you have been his teammate like I have) your answer will be Zackarias Toresson! Viktor, having been Zacke's teammate before, knew exactly who to call, living in his hometown of Varberg on the southern Swedish coast. According to Viktor, "I instantly knew what the answer would be and it didn’t disappoint. oouueEEEH! I’m in!”

Zacke in his native habitat of Varberg

So Zacke was recruited once again. This time as training partner and Marcialonga serviceman for Team Curira - Viktor's team for Marcialonga Weekend. 

Along Sweden's southern coast. You can almost see Lasse Moelgaard-Nielsen's house from here.

As it turns out, Viktor's arms faded in the later stages of the Marcialonga and he didn't get the result he had hoped for, but the word on the street is that Team Curira was so impressed with Zacke that he's been invited to stay on as serviceman and drinkmeister with the team for the Jizerska and the Vasaloppet!

Zacke and Viktor

You can read a lot more fun details about Viktor and Zacke's trip to the Dolomites, and I recommend you do, at Viktor's Blogg.