Behind the Scenes: The Team Behind Swedish Cup

Lars-Erik Bjuhr and Christian Erlandsson, competition management

Behind the success of the Swedish Cup stands a dedicated and experienced organising team, supported by a large group of volunteers and officials whose commitment makes the competition possible year after year. At the core of this organisation are Lars Erik Bjuhr and Christian Erlandsson, who play leading roles in the competition and organisational management, while working closely with a wider team that drives Swedish Cup forward.

Christian Erlandsson has been involved in Swedish Cup since around 2013, and even earlier in various supporting roles. His background as an active shooter dates back to 2005, and over the years he has contributed both on the range and behind the scenes. Lars Erik Bjuhr followed a similar path into the organisation. Like many within the team, he began as a shooter and later spent many years in range control before stepping into the organising committee and taking on broader responsibilities.

Together with the rest of the organising group, they have overseen the continued development of Swedish Cup into a professional international competition. According to Lars Erik, the work is less about solving problems and more about managing challenges. One of the biggest challenges this year was a deliberate change in the competition concept. For the first time, pistol and rifle events were split into half-day sessions, alternating throughout the competition days. This new structure required careful coordination across multiple areas of the organisation, particularly when it came to scheduling and timing the finals.

“There was some uncertainty around how the days would look, especially during finals,” Lars Erik explains. “But we’ve gained valuable experience this year, including input from European competitions, which we can use moving forward.”

Christian highlights that the mix finals and the initial transition between pistol and rifle events on Day 1 required extra attention from the team. However, as the competition progressed, the new format settled well and the workflow improved significantly during the final days.

Feedback from shooters, judges and spectators has been overwhelmingly positive. The revised schedule has given athletes better opportunities for rest and planning, particularly for those travelling and competing together with clubmates in different disciplines. It has also created a natural flow of people in the venue, with varying activity levels throughout the day. Combined with running target events that start early and continue into the evening, the arena has maintained a lively but balanced atmosphere.

Judges have also responded positively to the changes, noting clearer structures and smoother working days. Both organisers emphasise that the success of the new format is the result of strong teamwork, trust and clear communication throughout the organisation.

Even as the current edition of Swedish Cup comes to an end, planning for the future is already underway. The organising committee works with a long-term “three-step development plan” aimed at further strengthening Swedish Cup’s international profile. After a short evaluation period, planning will resume earlier than usual, already in February, allowing tasks to be distributed across the year and progress to be followed in stages.

Christian notes that preparations for Swedish Cup 2027 effectively began as soon as the current event started to wind down. Contacts with local authorities, partners and the business community are already being re-established, with meetings scheduled in the coming months. The first phase of the three-step plan begins almost immediately once this year’s competition concludes.

The long-term vision is ambitious but clear: to continue building Swedish Cup into a truly international event that attracts more world-class shooters, increases its overall appeal and strengthens its presentation. This includes further development of prize structures, international-style event branding and an enhanced visual identity. Many elements of this were already visible this year, such as flags, accreditation cards, front office areas and backdrops, but the organisers see this as just the beginning.

“Our goal is to make it obvious that this is a major international competition,” Lars Erik explains. “We want world-class shooters to feel that Swedish Cup is an important event on the calendar, while at the same time giving Swedish shooters at all levels the chance to compete alongside and learn from the very best.”

Delivering an event of this scale requires a collective effort. Around 50 officials and volunteers contribute during Swedish Cup, working in everything from range operations and judging to logistics, venue maintenance and athlete services. Their dedication, professionalism and countless volunteer hours are a cornerstone of the competition’s success and something the organisers are deeply grateful for.

As Day 3 draws to a close, both organisers reflect positively on the competition. The first day naturally required adjustments due to the new format, but each day ran more smoothly than the last, culminating in a highly successful final day.

Even as dismantling and transport logistics begin – returning shooting stations and grandstands to clubs across Sweden – the focus is already shifting forward.

Swedish Cup is built by many hands, driven by a shared passion for the sport, and guided by a clear vision for the future. The organisers would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all volunteers, officials and partners who contribute their time, energy and expertise. Without them, Swedish Cup simply would not be possible.