Swedish alpine ski talent Fabian Ax Swartz has turned down his national team spot to train independently for the 2026–2027 season, dn.se reported.
The 22-year-old enters the new campaign after recording a 14th place in slalom and a 22nd place in giant slalom at his debut Olympics, alongside career-best World Cup results that lifted him to 30th in the slalom standings.
Last season, Ax Swartz trained outside the Swedish alpine squad through a private setup based in Salzburg while remaining technically tied to the federation. Now, he has cut formal ties entirely after negotiations broke down.
“In the past we found a solution that I, the federation, and SOK were happy with, and after the season I had and my results, it was something I wanted to continue with. But ahead of this season we suddenly didn’t find a solution,” Ax Swartz told dn.se.
Operating outside the national team brings severe monetary demands alongside total control over training methods and equipment testing with his ski brand.
“The downside of not being part of the national team is above all the economy. I need to pay for 90 percent of the season privately, via sponsors who finance it. Then it’s also a minus not to be with the other Swedish skiers,” Ax Swartz told dn.se.
National team coach Fredrik Sars said that the federation offered a spot for the upcoming season, but the skier declined the invitation to follow his own path.
“Last year Fabian had the opportunity to train with us but he chose not to come. This year he said no to his national team place. The difference is well that he has taken a bigger stance himself,” Sars told dn.se.
Ax Swartz failed to qualify for the second run in the season-opening giant slalom world cup race. He now prepares for the men’s slalom premiere in Levi, Finland, scheduled for Sunday.
Sars admitted that leadership and fellow athletes hoped the rising star would stay within the traditional Swedish model.
“Both management, the coaches and the other skiers would have wished that Fabian had wanted to be with us. The Swedish model, which has proven successful over a long time, is based on gathering the best skiers to let them develop,” Sars told dn.se.
The Swedish lineup in Levi features Kristoffer Jakobsen, William Hansson, Gustav Wissting, and Fabian Ax Swartz, with broadcasts hosted on Viaplay.
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