These are the factors that led the 2023 World Champion to reject the Norwegian national team in favor of continuing with Team Aker Dæhlie.

Astrid Øyre Slind chooses to remain outside the Norwegian national team for the upcoming season, where the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim are the highlight. Both Øyre Slind herself and Team Aker Dæhlie confirmed the information Tuesday morning.

The 36-year-old, who won two medals at the 2023 World Championships and was the second-best Norwegian distance skier in the World Cup this winter, declined a spot on the national team for the second year in a row. She is relieved to have parked the whole situation.

“I’m very happy to be done with dilemmas and choices. It’s been a bit difficult, a bit too much hassle, and many people with strong opinions. Now I’m looking forward to getting started with training,” Øyre Slind told Langrenn.com.

Read also: Øyre Slind outside the Norwegian national team activities

How has the process with the national team been?

“It’s been good. Of course, they want me to be with them,” Øyre Slind says.

What was the deciding factor?

“I followed my feeling. The setup I’ve had in the past seasons has worked so well, and I’m committed to it now. So, my feeling got to decide this time.”

What does Team Aker Dæhlie mean in this?

“It was very important. That’s where I’ve grown and become good. So, it would be silly to leave them now when it’s important to have a profile on that team. They’re the ones who have supported me and brought me forward.”

Which factors weighed the heaviest when you ended up deciding to continue with Team Aker Dæhlie?

“Security is important and means a lot to me. The support I get from (coach) Chris (Jespersen) every day, the good gatherings we have as a team. If I had joined the national team, I would have followed their training and gathering program.”

“It’s not tempting.”

“They (the national team) have a philosophy that I haven’t had such good experiences with before,” Øyre Slind tells Langrenn.com, explaining that the setup she has with Jespersen in Team Aker Dæhlie is quite different from the national team’s.

“We do a slightly different type of training in long-distance skiing. It’s often a long session for the day, long pole sessions, and long sessions with hard efforts. On the national team, it’s more traditional all-round training, with two sessions a day, shorter sessions, and dedicated hard workouts. Those kinds of things.”

Read also: Swedish national team skier focuses on Ski Classics: “Very attractive offer”

Coach Chris Jespersen has also expressed concern for Øyre Slind if she adopts the national team’s training program.

Will you adjust your training differently for the next season now that the World Championships at home in February/March are the main focus?

“I’ll probably stick to pretty much the same as I’ve done. It worked well, and making a lot of changes before a World Championship season is a bit scary.”

At the same time, Øyre Slind emphasizes that she has a lot to work on when the new season starts on May 1.

“I have a lot to work on, both in terms of technique, endurance, finishes, and capacity matters most. I don’t feel satisfied with where I am now. But I feel like I’m heading somewhere,” she says.

Wants to train more with national team skiers

Although Øyre Slind has chosen to decline the national team spot again this year, she still hopes to collaborate with the skiers leading up to the season.

Do you envision training with the national team skiers leading up to the World Championship season?

“I hope so.”

Have you had much collaboration up to now?

“No, not really. They’ve been on a lot of gatherings, and most of my training has been with Team Aker Dæhlie. But there’s a big group of national team girls living in Trondheim, so I hope we can arrange a good setup when they’re not on gatherings.”

Who do you think it’s most likely to train with?

“Tiril and Lotta Udnes Weng, and Anne Kjersti (Kalvå). They’re the ones closest to me, and there’s a lot I can learn from them, especially about finishes and pacing. They’re fantastic,” she tells Langrenn.com.

In addition to Astrid Øyre Slind, the national team is in talks with both Kristine Stavås Skistad and, notably, cross-country skiing queen Therese Johaug, if she decides to make a comeback for the 2025 World Championships.

Read also: Dominant win for Johaug at the Norwegian Championships

The Norwegian national teams for 2024/25 will be presented on April 24.