After 13 years on the Norwegian national team, it’s over and out for the traditional cross-country skier and World champion.

The 35-year-old, known for perfecting his form at championships year after year, is putting his skis on the shelf, says the former World champion.

Therefore, Sjur Røthe will miss the opportunity to participate in two World Championships on home soil. This winter’s World Championships in Trondheim will be without the cross-country skier.

Røthe has had a season characterized by illness and adversity. The Norwegian national team veteran has hardly skied this winter. His best result in the World Cup was 20th place, and he was dropped from the national team in April.

However, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that he is now ending his World Cup career. Since early winter, Røthe has hinted several times that he was unsure about his future as a cross-country skier. Now, he has made up his mind.

“13 years on the (Norwegian) national cross-country team has offered a lot. Huge ups, some downs, and enormously many memorable experiences with my best friends,” wrote Sjur Røthe on social media on Wednesday morning, and continued:

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved and contributed to me being able to live out my boyhood dream. Teammates, coaches, wax techs, support system, collaborators, the Ski Federation, and not least my family. There will probably be some training trips in the future, but not as active at top level.”

Solid base for the Norwegian national team

Sjur Røthe has been a vital member of the Norwegian national team since the 2011 World Championships on home soil in Oslo, where he finished fourth in the 50km race, the highlight of the championships in Holmenkollen.

Since then, he has competed in every championship for Norway.

A long and distinguished career

The Vossing native attended his first World Championships on home soil in Oslo 2011. Røthe has participated in two Olympics and seven World Championships and has won six World Championship medals, including three gold.

Sjur Røthe has competed in 218 World Cup races since he debuted in the 50km World Cup in Trondheim on March 14, 2009 (a race he did not complete). He has 44 podiums and 13 wins in the World Cup, including six individual victories.

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