Kristine Stavå’s Skistad was the big bright spot for Norwegian women’s cross-country skiing this winter, but the sprint star did not want to be part of the national team.
There will be a change to that for the coming season, Skistad tells NRK.
– I have decided to join the national team this year. Me and Lage (Sofienlund, coach) continue exactly as before. We will continue at Konnerud and do exactly the same as before. So from a sporting point of view, it will be exactly the same as previous years, but you get to contribute a little to the national team on the market side and hopefully Norway will be better prepared for next season, she says.
STAR: Skistad has a big profile in the world of cross-country skiing.
Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB
Skistad tells of very good dialogue with national team manager Ulf Morten Aune and general manager of the cross-country committee Cathrine Instebø throughout April. “Dream offer”, describes the 25-year-old, but when was the decision made?
– It was probably a day ago. We recently received this offer, which Lage and I have discussed. We have felt the feelings that it increases the chances of doing well for Norway, and doing well for me in the winter. It’s a win-win, and everyone is happy, she says.
Earlier this week, several media outlets, including VG and NTB, that Skistad did not become part of the national team. The return therefore comes as a surprise to many.
– I sat at home on the sofa and saw VG publish that I am saying no to the national team. I wonder where they get the information from, because next time I think they’ll have to check with me before they post bare pipes, she says.
Photo: Ragna Kristine Sandholt / NRK
Sofienlund says that nothing had been decided when the cases about Skistad’s alleged national team no came.
– I think when Norway’s biggest newspaper writes things that have no basis in anything, some journalists should ask themselves if they are proud of their job, says the coach and states that the decision to make a comeback was made on Thursday.
NRK has forwarded the criticism to VG’s sports manager Frode Buanes.
– As Ulf Morten Aune points out, there has been back and forth in the talks between the athlete and the ski association, but we recognize that it was too conclusive to determine that Stavås Skistad’s no was a final no to the national team, he says and continues:
– At the same time, we register that being a national team player today can only mean appearing on advertising posters. It is an exciting development that we will follow closely going forward, says Buanes.
Only woman with a win
Stavås Skistad recorded eleven podium places in the World Cup last season. Five of them ended in victory. It was also the only five top positions for the Norwegian women in the season that ended recently.
NRK’s cross-country expert Fredrik Aukland believes the election is a victory for the association.
EXPERT: Fredrik Aukland.
Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
– The fact that she has agreed to be part of the national team is a gift package for the Skiing Association. She is the world‘s best ski sprinter and will now not only represent Norway, but be part of the national team. It shows strength for the union, he says.
– How much has the ski association given here?
– It shows that the Skiing Association is willing to stretch itself much further than before. It is important that she gets to continue with what works for her.
– It is inevitable
Outside the national team, Skistad has been trained by Lage Sofienlund. The two met ten years ago, and the relationship was further strengthened when the cross-country skier chose to turn down the national team three years ago.
Sofienlund is happy to be able to continue the collaboration.
– She is the athlete I have worked with for the longest time, and have become very fond of. We get on very well together, and work very well together. So it’s very motivating to make it into a WC season on home soil. And I think it’s very wise, he says.
COACH: Lage Sofienlund.
Photo: NTB
In negotiations about a comeback in the national team, it was never relevant to deviate from the training program they have at Konnerud.
– It is inevitable, says Sofienlund.
Skistad has been open about the fact that she is built differently to the distance runners, and that the daily training routine on the national team does not suit her.
– I think it is a victory for the different runner. And the different performer, says Sofienlund about the solution that has now been agreed upon.
Published 19.04.2024, at 09.59 Updated 19.04.2024, at 17.37