Visit FasterSkier.com →

From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset

Nordic Community Mourns Loss of Skofterud: ‘A Friend Who Lit Up the Room’

Norway’s gold-medal women’s relay at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., with (from left to right) Vibeke Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Størmer Steira, and Marit Bjorgen. (Screenshot: 2010 Vancouver Olympics relay video)

(Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Vidar Løfshus, head of the Norwegian cross-country ski team, and the team’s former performance manager, Åge Skinstad.)

The death of Norway’s Vibeke Skofterud shocked the international cross-country skiing world on Sunday, and as of Monday, multiple renowned skiers, particularly in Norway, had reacted publicly.

“I am shaking and am in complete shock over this horrible news that I received today,” Marit Bjørgen wrote in a press release, according to a translation. “Dear Vibeke, this was way too soon.”

Bjørgen and Skofterud were teammates on the Norwegian national team for well over a decade until Skofterud retired in 2015. They won gold together in the women’s relay at the 2010 Olympics and at World Championships in 2005 and 2011. Kristin Størmer Steira was also on all three of those winning relays, and Therese Johaug teamed up with the three to win in 2010 and 2011.

“I have lost one of my best friends,” Johaug wrote in another press release quoted by NRK. “A friend who lit up the room when she entered, one who gave everyone around her lots of energy, love and care. I take with me all of the nice moments and experiences in and outside of the trails and I will miss her. My thoughts go to her family and those left behind.”

Bjørgen added that she was “incredibly happy about all of the nice moments we had with each other. A tough competitor in the course, but more importantly, the warmest, nicest, toughest woman in the world,” she wrote. “We have experienced much together, from an Olympic gold medal in the relay … and I will cherish the memories for a long time. My thoughts go to her families and those closest to her. Love you Vibeke. Rest In Peace.”

Petter Northug wrote that the news was “incomprehensible and sad to hear,” according to News in English.no. “We had many fun years together on the national team.”

Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, a former skier who competed until 2011 and became a national team coach, recalled her “infectious humor”. Erik Røste, president of the Norwegian Ski Federation since 2012, said she was “an important ambassador for the sport of skiing with her winner’s spirit and great engagement.”

“Vibeke was that joyful girl who always contributed positively to the community she was a part of, definitely with her good results on the course,” Vidar Løfshus, head of the Norwegian cross-country team, told Aftenposten, according to a translation. “The fact that we have lost girl like her, who was always open, honest and spoke her opinion, is a loss to the entire community and inconceivable.”

“It is incredibly sad,” Åge Skinstad, a former national-team performance director who is currently TV 2’s cross-country expert, told TV 2, according to a translation. “The first thing you think about is the family and those closest to her. Vibeke was a fantastic human-being. She was a very, very good skier.”

One of her former competitors, Charlotte Kalla of Sweden, told Expressen that she was shocked by the tragedy.

“It feels uncomfortable and difficult to accept that such a joyful, positive, and full of energy kind of competitor such as Vibeke is longer with us,” Kalla said, according to a translation. “Vibeke was one of my role models when I entered the national team. A positive person who spread joy and really contributed to the cohesion with Norwegian team. She was a character within the sport who offered a lot of herself. It is with great sorrow that I now think of Vibeke and those closest to her. Rest In Peace Vibeke.”

July 30, 2018
‘Haters Gonna Hate,’ Northug Remains Separate from Norwegian National Team

Norway’s Petter Northug (center) won the 15 k classic pursuit at the 2014/2015 Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany, ahead of Canadian runner-up Alex Harvey (l) and Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson (r) in third. Northug won’t have a chance to go for the overall Tour de Ski or World Cup title this coming season as he is currently off the Norwegian national team. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)

The show must, and will, go on. That’s how the Norwegian ski federation feels about the debacle with Petter Northug, Jr., after the 29-year-old celebrity skier missed the deadline to sign its contract. For now, the federation’s offer to let Northug maintain his sponsorship obligations with the Coop grocery store chain up until the start of the 2015/2016 season in late November is off the table — and Northug won’t be able to compete for Norway on the World Cup circuit.

The two sides clashed on the terms of the agreement. VG reported that Northug had asked for a three-year contract instead of the single year the federation offered. He also wanted to represent the national team for a shorter period than last season, which lasted from Nov. 1, 2014 to April 7, 2015.

Northug talking to NRK. (Photo: Tor Atle Kleven)

According to Dagbladet, Northug also requested “breaks” in the World Cup period where he’d be able to race in the Coop uniform, presumably in the International Ski Federation (FIS) marathon series.

In May 2013, Northug left the national team to start a private team, sponsored by Coop. He subsequently signed an agreement with the Norwegian ski federation that enabled him to compete in the 2013/2014 World Cup. The agreement was renewed last year. Northug’s deal is an exception to the federation’s policy that Norwegian skiers have to be on a year-round commitment in order to represent Norway in international races.

Initially, the federation hadn’t planned to offer Northug a special agreement again this year. But it reneged on its stance, and in June, it tendered an offer similar to the 2014/2015 agreement.

“The agreement is the same as the one he had in success season 2014/15,” said Torbjørn Skogstad, chairman of the federation’s cross-country committee, according to a translation. “[The federation] regrets that Petter Northug did not want to join the national team and the World Cup on the same terms as all other athletes.”

“The Norwegian Ski Federation is planning upcoming World Cup season with those athletes who have signed an agreement and is not going to take any further initiatives from Petter Northug or Coop,” he continued.

Northug’s tenure on the national team has been marked by controversy. As a junior, he didn’t mince words about being left off Norway’s 2006 Olympic squad. Since splitting from the national team, his results have been mixed. His four gold medals at the 2015 World Championships in Falun, Sweden, were preceded by a lackluster 2013/2014 season with no Olympic medals and seventh-place overall finish on the World Cup.

Reactions in the ski community have been mixed.

“Once the deadline has expired, then it’s time to cut through,” Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, a 2007 individual world champion for Norway, told VG. “[The federation has to] set an example here. Northug believes he is in a special position.”

“Did anyone really talk to Petter? I think this could have been solved,” Hjelmeset added.

One of Northug’s current rivals, Calle Halfvarsson of Sweden believes Norwegian skiing will suffer the most. He said “it would be really stupid of [the Norwegian federation]” to exclude Northug.

Jürg Capol, the nordic director for FIS Marketing AG, told VG that the sport benefits if all the best athletes toe the start line.

“In the World Cup, we are not dependent on one skier,” he said. “Northug has never won the Tour de Ski, so the best should be in place when the Tour de Ski starts. Who remembers who won the Vasaloppet and Marcialonga? It is the World Cup that matters.”

Last season, Northug placed second to teammate Martin Johnsrud Sundby in the Tour de Ski and finished the World Cup third overall behind Sundby and Switzerland’s Dario Cologna, respectively.

Most telling of all may be what Norwegian team director Vidar Løfshus told Dagbladet. “I think it’s a shame,” he said. “But we’ll manage just fine without Petter, too.”

Løfshus observed that Northug’s biggest successes have been in championship years, of which this season is not.

“In the World Cup, there are other Norwegians who have been just as good,” he said.

On reopening negotiations, “We’re not going to take more initiative,” he added. “We gave him a good deal.”

Petter Northug posted this meme on Instagram on Monday following the Norwegian ski federation’s announcement that he was off the team for the 2015/2016 season for his failure to sign a contract with the team. (Photo: Petter Northug/Instagram)

As of early Tuesday, Northug had not publicly commented, but posted an Instagram meme with a cat captioned, “Haters gonna hate.”

Coop deflected comments. Communications director Bjørn Takle Friis wrote, “This is a matter between the Norwegian Ski Federation and Petter. Are Sørum Langås, Team Northug’s manager will comment on the matter when they are ready.”

With no World Championships or Olympics in 2016, this season’s main events are the Tour de Ski in early January and the Canadian World Cup tour in March. Beyond this season, Northug’s future on the national squad may be determined by the men’s team’s performance this winter. For now, he’s on the outside, looking in.

September 15, 2015
Northug beats Bjørgen in Super-Duel

The super duel at Bysprinten in Mosjoen (NOR) on Saturday was entirely between Marit Bjørgen and Petter Northug. Bjørgen was given a five-second lead on Northug on the course through the city center.

Shortly into the first of the two laps, Northug had managed to close the gap and hung out comfortable on Bjørgens tails. He stayed there until the last turn, when he decided to pull off a surge and accelerate out of the curve to finish ahead.

Bjørgen answered the surge with an impressive tempo change, but Northug still managed to get ahead.

“He’s a coward. I couldn’t get him to pull,” Bjørgen concluded.

“Marit is actually better than me,” Northug admitted.

Swede wins the men’s sprint

While Northug won the “super-duel” with Bjørgen, the Sweden dominated the men’s sprint in Mosjoen. Northug didn’t deliver a particularly impressive qualifying time. He was eliminated from the A-final in the quarterfinals. In the B-final, Northug was among the last to cross the finish line. It is of course possible that he was saving his energy to win the “super-duel” with Bjørgen.

The men’s A-final was a thrilling battle between Teodor Peterson (SWE), Øystein Pettersen (NOR), Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset (NOR) and Renato Pasini (ITA).

Pettersen was ahead from the start and was leading for a long way, but had to let go when Hjelmeset and Peterson surged. In the sharp corner right before the finish, Pettersen looked like he was onto a comeback and passed Hjelmeset, but was an inch short of Peterson. Pasini also managed to drop Hjelmeset on the finish line for third place.

Amazing Bjørgen

Among the women, it was all about Bjørgen. She won the quarterfinal, the semifinal and to finish. No games.

“Winning means a lot. It’s fun to be on the top of the podium. I’m glad I made it to Bysprinten in Mosjoen,” she said with a huge grin after the race.

Italian Gaia Vuerich was second and Mari Eide (NOR) was third.

Therese Johaug (NOR) and Dario Cologna (SUI) were also among the many stars on the start line in Mosjoen Saturday. Neither of them made it to the A-finals.

Results:

Women:
1. Marit Bjørgen, NOR
2. Gaia Vuerich, ITA
3. Mari Eide, NOR

Men
1. Teodor Peterson, SWE
2. Øystein Pettersen, NOR
3. Renato Pasini, ITA
4. Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, NOR

Super-duel
1. Petter Northug, NOR
2. Marit Bjørgen, NOR

From Langrenn.com, April 9, 2011. By Geir Nilsen, translation by Inge Scheve

April 10, 2011
Hjelmeset on Veerpalu: Annoyed and Disappointed

Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset

On April 7, the Estonian anti-doping agency confirmed that both the A and the B samples of two-time Olympian Andrus Veerpalu (EST) came back positive for elevated levels of human growth hormone (HGH). The samples were collected on January 29, 2011, and the test results came back from the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) doping lab in Cologne (GER) on February 14. Veerpalu then withdrew from the 2011 World Championships in Oslo citing a virus infection and a knee injury.

At a press conference, Estonian coach Mati Alaver confirmed the Veerpalu took substances that increase the level of growth hormone, but claims that both are legal and the levels did not rise above the legal limit.

Veerpalu has maintained his innocence.

Odd-Bjørn Hjelemset, 39, was appalled and disappointed when he heard the news of Veerpalu’s positive doping test.

“I’ve always considered him a talented skier with superior technique and all that, and always admired him for being able to nail his peak for major events and championships. And that’s why we are so disappointed today,” Hjelmeset said to Norwegian news agency NTB.

“I think many of us feel cheated,” he said.

Hjelmeset, a veteran skier with almost 20 years on the Norwegian national team, looks at the bigger picture.

“You can’t do anything about the past. The worst part is that he cheated all of us,” Hjelmeset said, pointing out that he doesn’t buy that a knee injury caused Veerpalu to withdraw from the 2011 World Championships in Oslo at the last minute.

“I raced against Veerpalu in the World Cup in Otepää in January, where he delivered a strong fifth place. He was definitely not horribly injured at that point. If he were innocent, he should have come to Oslo and argued that his positive test was a mistake. He should have surfaced and fought for his innocence, and he would have received all the attention he wanted. That he didn’t do any of that, speaks volumes to me,” Hjelmset said.

The Norwegian veteran doesn’t believe this was the first time the 40-year-old Estonian cheated.

“He has won so many races and I’m sure he intended to do well at the World Championships this time as well. Of course he’s been doing this for a while. You don’t just start doping at age 40,” Hjelmeset argued.

From NTB, April 7, 2011. Translation by Inge Scheve

April 8, 2011
Top Racers Gearing up for Bysprinten

This year, both Petter Northug and Marit Bjørgen are able to make the city sprint in Mosjøen. Northug will be joined by a stacked field, including Emil Joensson (SWE), Dario Cologna (SUI), Øystein “Sausage” Pettersen (NOR), Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset (NOR) and Anders Gloersen (NOR) to mention a few. In the women’s field, Bjørgen will have plenty of company: Therese Johaug (NOR), Gaia Vuerich (ITA), Marte Kristoffersen (NOR) and Guro Strøm Solli (NOR) are some of her challengers.

Petter Northug raced the very first version of Bysprinten back in 2007, but since then the event has not worked out with his schedule.

“This year it worked out for Northug again, and we were also able to get Marit to come. This will be her first time at Bysprinten,” race organizer Trond Are Rasmussen said to Langrenn.com.

The sprint race will take place in the city center at Mosjøen on Saturday. Friday night, the Norwegian national team trailer will host wax clinics for local racers and clubs, as well as a World Championship recap event featuring Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset and Petter Northug.

Check out the start list here.

Watch the sprint live here. The race start at 7:15am (EST).

April 7, 2011
Hjelmeset: Americans on the Radar for Worlds

Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset (Photo: Inge Scheve)

Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, the veteran of the Norwegian national team with two decades worth of World Cup experience, has seen nations rise and fall, ebb and flow, on the international cross-country circuit. FasterSkier asked Hjelmeset to rate the North American chances at the 2011 World Championships in Oslo.

FasterSkier: Do you consider the Americans as serious contenders in the World Championships?

Hjelmeset: Yes, absolutely. A lot has happened over there, especially maybe in the sprint. Andy Newell can race well on a good day, and if he has a very good day he might even be in contention for a medal.

FS: What about the distance races?

H: Well, at the moment I don’t think Kris Freeman is skiing as well as he’d like to or expected. But if he was in fighting shape, he could be good in the pursuit and the 15K classic.

H: The Americans aren’t known for long distance racing. Seems like they like the action and the suspense of the sprint formats. But they have amazing skiing there and all kinds of opportunities. There is really no reason they shouldn’t race at least as fast as anybody else.

Kikkan Randall (USA, 1st place) shows her powerful V1 in the quarters.

FS: What are your thoughts about the American women?

H: Kikkan Randall has showed teeth and been on the podium several times this season. She’s by far the biggest favorite for the sprint, and absolutely a force to be taken seriously.

FS: Do you think Randall can win the sprint in Holmenkollen?

H: That depends. It’s a really fast course, and the final stretch to the finish might just be too fast for her. She appears to sometimes have problems staying with her skis at high speeds. But everything is open.

FS: What about the Canadians?

H: The Canadians are also right up there fighting for the hardware. Devon Kershaw went in and did an incredible Tour de Ski. That was extremely exciting. Alex Harvey is also right there. There are so many interesting racers now, and to me, that’s just amazingly exciting for the sport.

February 22, 2011