Petter Northug wanted him as early as April, yet it took almost half a year for the pieces to fall into place. Now the Ski Classics star explains how it all came together.

Langrenn.com meets Petter Northug’s new star signing in Font Romeu at his first training camp with the Pro Team. 

But it was far from certain that Torleif Syrstad would be there. The contract with Team Burger King Northug was only finalised at the eleventh hour.

Northug wanted the Ski Classics star as early as April, after Syrstad split from Team Engcon when the two parties failed to agree on a new contract. But a bitter dispute with his former team put the move on hold for almost half a year and threatened to derail it.

At the heart of the conflict was Team Engcon, which provides waxing support to Northug’s team, refusing to wax Syrstad’s skis if he signed for Northug.

Also Read: Northug finally gets the green light – after six months of drama

Were you worried the deal wouldn’t happen? 

“Yes.” 

The story continues below.

Reveals dream deal

The 32-year-old now reveals that he has secured a gold-plated waxing deal. 

For the coming season, Erling Owren of Team Bardo will wax the Birken winner’s skis, together with Halfdan Baumann, Morten Brørs and Team Bardo’s ski testers. 

Owren has more than ten years of experience as a waxer and ski grinder, and is reputed to be one of the most skilled waxers in Ski Classics. 

“I’m very happy,” says Syrstad.

He is clear that skis are absolutely crucial to his future ambitions. 

Why did it take so long? 

“Because I had to feel confident that it was a solution I wanted, and one that could match my ambitions. I don’t want to just finish ski races, so to speak.” 

Read More: Team Burger King – Northug — Pro Team presentation Season XVIII

Extensive process

The agreement came after an extensive process, in which Owren was keen to ensure Syrstad felt well looked after. 

“I spoke with Torleif for several hours about what we’re going to do and how we’re going to make this work. And he has faith in us,” Owren tells Langrenn.com.

Syrstad confirms this, saying the deal lets him sleep at night again, though he is still eager to see how the season unfolds.

 “I believe in it. But you never know until you’ve raced a few times. Still, the impression I’ve got, and what I feel after talking a lot with them, is that they are very knowledgeable and do things the right way. As for my own knowledge of skis and waxing… quite simply, I’m bad at it.” 

Among the best in the business

Owren is known as one of the best waxers in Ski Classics, and the arrangement is unique. Apart from his own athletes at Team Bardo, Syrstad is the only skier he has agreed to work with this season. 

“I get offers to wax all the time, and I’ve waxed for other teams before. My order books could be full if I wanted. But for me it’s not about waxing the most. It’s about waxing the best,” Owren tells Langrenn.com. 

Win-win

Owren says he sees the deal as a win-win for both teams. 

He will now wax Syrstad’s skis at every Ski Classics event this winter, as well as the skis of Northug’s other new star signing, Sandra Schütsova, when and if required. 

In return for his waxing services, Owren receives information and knowledge-sharing from Northug and his team, feeding support for Team Bardo’s athletes at certain races, as well as what he describes as “a symbolic sum”. 

For the rest of Team Burger King Northug, Team Engcon remains responsible for waxing.

Read More: Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII

Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII (2026/2027) 

• Event 1: December 11, 2026 – Bad Gastein Prologue – Austria – 1km  
• Event 2: December 13, 2026 – Sportgastein Criterium – Austria – 30km  
• Event 3: December 19, 2026 – Bad Gastein ITT – Austria – 7km  
• Event 4: December 20, 2026 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Austria – 36km  
Bad Gastein Tour (Events 1–4 of Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII)  
• Event 5: January 16, 2027 – Engadin La Diagonela – Switzerland – 55km  
• Event 6: January 17, 2027 – Zuoz–St. Moritz Sprint – Switzerland – 30km  
• Event 7: January 31, 2027 – Marcialonga – Italy – 70km  
• Event 8: February 12, 2027 – Bedřichov Heat Sprint – Czech Republic – 1.5km  
• Event 9: February 14, 2027 – Jizerská 50 – Czech Republic – 50km  
• Event 10: February 27, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Women – Sweden – 30km  
• Event 11: February 28, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Men – Sweden – 30km  
• Event 12: March 7, 2027 – Vasaloppet – Sweden – 90km  
• Event 13: March 20, 2027 – Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – 53km  
• Event 14: April 3, 2027 – Reistadløpet – Norway – 35km  
• Event 15: April 4, 2027 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Norway – 60km 

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics World Championship, visit skiclassics.com.