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Zebastian Modin will be a skier to look out for in the men’s vision impaired as he aims to defend the cross-country sprint world title at Prince George 2019.
The Swede has proven strong this season, winning three golds and one silver in cross-country over two World Cups in Vuokatti, Finland, and on home soil in Ostersund. He is currently leading the overall standings and therefore getting closer to repeating 2018’s title.
Modin did not have the expected performance at PyeongChang 2018, having to settle for silver in the cross-country sprint with guides Johannes Andersson and Robin Bryntesson.
He was not able to compete on a regular basis for two seasons due to several injuries and even thought about retiring from the sport.
But he made an outstanding comeback in 2016-2017, winning his first world title in Finsterau, Germany, and finishing top of the cross-country World Cup overall rankings.
Modin took up skiing at 13 years old, encouraged by some friends. Three years later, he competed at his first Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, as the youngest competitor at the Games. He won bronze in the cross-country sprint.
After that, he was named Swedish Radio station Radiosporten's 2010 Rising Star. Modin enjoyed an even better performance at Sochi 2014, where he took two silvers and one bronze.
Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Vision impairment
Origin of Impairment
Congenital
Classification
B1
Guide
Emil Jonsson
Further personal information
Residence
Östersund, SWE
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
Swedish, English
Higher education
Business, Economics - Mid Sweden University: Sundsvall, SWE
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up Para skiing in 2007 in Ostersund, Sweden.
Why this sport?
He first tried swimming and then some family friends suggested he should try skiing and pursue it at an elite level. "With several uncertain parameters, cross-country skiing was more difficult than swimming. That was probably what hooked me on."
Club / Team
Ostersund SK: Sweden
General interest
Nicknames
Zebben (skidzonen.se, 16 Dec 2016)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning silver in the men's visually impaired sprint freestyle at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. (Athlete, 03 Mar 2022)
Hero / Idol
Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (zebastianmodin.se, 14 Feb 2017)
Injuries
He experienced hip problems in mid-2021 and the issue affected his training that year. (paralympic.org, 09 Feb 2022)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"I simply love to work out. And the best thing about exercise is that there are always things to develop and do better." (zebastianmodin.se, 14 Feb 2017)
Awards and honours
He was named Swedish radio station Radiosporten's 2010 Rising Star after his bronze medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. (paralympic.org, 17 Mar 2011)
Milestones
He was the youngest competitor from any nation at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, competing in the visually impaired 3km pursuit at age 15 years and 266 days. (SportsDeskOnline, 03 Mar 2022; Vancouver, 12 Mar 2010; vancouversun.com, 17 Mar 2010)
Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, and to compete at the 2023 World Championships in Ostersund, Sweden. (paralympic.org, 09 Feb 2022)
Impairment
He was born with glaucoma and his vision began to deteriorate at age six. "I have always wanted to be seen as everyone else, not as visually impaired. Already in school, my basic attitude was to do what I wanted without restrictions and I never experienced that it was difficult to have a disability." (expressen.se, 23 Oct 2020; gp.se, 16 Jun 2019)
Other information
RETIREMENT RETHINK
He had intended to retire from the sport following the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, but changed his plans after it was announced that the 2023 World Championships would take place in Ostersund, Sweden. "Beijing was the end of the journey in this plan that I set up a couple of years ago [speaking in early 2022]. Now I am heading to my hometown [world] championships. I have been doing this for a long time. I am getting more picky in how things should be. I want to know I can really focus to reach the top and compete with the best and that is what drives me." (paralympic.org, 09 Feb 2022)
FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for a master's degree in business administration. (Athlete, 03 Mar 2022; paralympic.org, 09 Feb 2022)
He had intended to retire from the sport following the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, but changed his plans after it was announced that the 2023 World Championships would take place in Ostersund, Sweden. "Beijing was the end of the journey in this plan that I set up a couple of years ago [speaking in early 2022]. Now I am heading to my hometown [world] championships. I have been doing this for a long time. I am getting more picky in how things should be. I want to know I can really focus to reach the top and compete with the best and that is what drives me." (paralympic.org, 09 Feb 2022)
FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for a master's degree in business administration. (Athlete, 03 Mar 2022; paralympic.org, 09 Feb 2022)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 3 km Pursuit Visually impaired | Qualification | 9999 | ||
| Men's 1 km Sprint Visually impaired | Final Round | 3 | ||
| Men's 10 km Visually impaired | Final Round | 9 | ||
| Men's 20 km Visually impaired | Final Round | 11 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Sprint - Classic VI | Final | 2013-02-25 | 2 | |
| Men's Long Distance - Free Style VI | Final | 2013-02-27 | 8 | |
| Men's Short Distance VI | Final | 2013-02-28 | 13 | |
| Men's Middle Distance - Classic VI | Final | 2013-03-05 | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 7.5 km Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-08 | 8 | |
| Men's 20 km Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-10 | 3 | |
| Men's 1 km Sprint Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-12 | 2 | |
| 4x2.5 km Mixed Relay | Final Round | 2014-03-15 | 2 | |
| Men's 10 km Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-16 | 6 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Short Distance VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-24 | 9999 | |
| Men's Sprint - Classic VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-28 | 5 | |
| Men's Middle Distance - Classic VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-31 | 7 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Middle Distance VI | Final | 2017-02-11 | 9 | |
| Men's Sprint - Free Style VI | Final | 2017-02-12 | 1 | |
| Mixed Relay | Final | 2017-02-15 | 2 | |
| Men's Long Distance - Classic VI | Final | 2017-02-16 | 2 | |
| Men's Sprint VI | Final | 2017-02-18 | 11 | |
| Men's Middle Distance - Free Style VI | Final | 2017-02-19 | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 7.5km Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-10 | 7 | |
| Men's 20km Free Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-12 | 4 | |
| Men's 1.5km Sprint Classic Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-14 | 2 | |
| Men's 10km Classic Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-17 | 9999 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Middle Distance - Free Style VI | Final | 2019-02-17 | 5 | |
| Men's Sprint - Free Style VI | Final | 2019-02-18 | 1 | |
| Men's Sprint VI | Final | 2019-02-20 | 9 | |
| Men's Long Distance VI | Final | 2019-02-21 | 9999 | |
| Open Relay | Final | 2019-02-23 | 9 | |
| Men's Long Distance - Classic VI | Final | 2019-02-24 | 2 |
