Press Release from the Swedish Sailing Federation
“This is an important step in bringing a new generation into the Top and Talent programme. It shows that our development pathway is heading in the right direction, and that we have sailors who can fight for Olympic medals in 2032 — or perhaps already in 2028,” says Swedish Sailing Team Head Coach Magnus Grävare.
Ebba Berntsson now sails together with Vilma Bobeck, who won Olympic silver in Paris 2024 alongside Rebecca Netzler. When Rebecca later decided not to continue her Olympic campaign toward Los Angeles 2028, Ebba stepped into her place in the boat.
Already at their first major championship together, in October this year, Vilma and Ebba secured a silver medal at the World Championships. Their sights are firmly set on winning a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
While Vilma and Ebba are a newly formed crew, Marius and Olle have sailed together for many years. At the Youth World Championships in 2019, they finished in an impressive sixth place. After going their separate ways for a few years, they reunited in the 49er class in 2022. Their best result to date is a 25th-place finish at this autumn’s World Championships.
“Together with Vilma, Ebba achieved somewhat sensational results this summer, with World Championship silver and a win at the Grand Slam in Los Angeles. Marius and Olle have worked hard to climb toward the top. They now have both the physical capacity and the experience to compete with the very best,” says Magnus Grävare, continuing:
“All three athletes demonstrate a highly professional approach and exceptional sailing knowledge. They are the future stars of Swedish sailing. They understand the level of commitment required and are willing to put in the work.”
The Top and Talent programme is designed to give athletes with the potential to reach the world’s elite the opportunity to pursue a full-time sporting commitment, regardless of their personal or family financial situation. Each athlete in the programme receives individually tailored, needs-based support.
The nine athletes admitted to the Top and Talent programme from 1 January 2026, in addition to the three sailors, are track and field athletes Engla Nilsson (high jump) and Samuel Pihlström (1,500 m), golfer Ingrid Lindblad, judoka Ingrid Nilsson, rifle shooter Jesper Johansson, and skateboarder Kristoffer “Koffe” Kroon.
“Nine very promising athletes who are primarily aiming to perform at the Olympic Games in 2028 or 2032,” says SOK Sports Director Fredrik Joulamo, adding:
“The federations nominate the athletes they see as having the greatest potential, and SOK then conducts a selection process involving testing and interviews. The federations are involved throughout the process, and together we have identified nine athletes in whom we have particularly strong belief.”
The Swedish Olympic Committee launched the Top and Talent programme in 1998, and its outcomes are well documented. More than 30 percent of athletes in the programme go on to reach medal-winning potential at World Championships or Olympic Games within four to six years.
