Uncover Rosie Brennan’s transition from World Cup to Ski Classics, where challenges meet triumphs. Dive into her insights into North America’s growing interest in long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing.

During a grueling World Cup season, fatigue sets in, yet some athletes seek new challenges beyond the familiar tracks. The transition from World Cup to Ski Classics proved to be an exhilarating adventure for one skier for the Ski Classics Season XIV.

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Rosie Brennan, a 35-year-old American who races for the Italian Pro Team, Team Robinson Trentino, decided to race the last two Ski Classics events, Season XIV, right after the World Cup in 2023, finishing Reistadløpet in 2nd place and the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja in 5th.

“I was definitely tired, both mentally and physically, after the long World Cup season,” Rosie shared to ProXCskiing.com, reflecting on the transition. 

“But it was nice to try something so different, in a cool part of the World I hadn’t been to before. It was challenging, but I enjoyed it.”

Navigating the longer distances in Ski Classics posed a unique set of challenges compared to the shorter races of the World Cup season. 

“It was surely challenging to do those distances after doing shorter races during the World Cup season. But it allowed me to use kick wax, something that I am more used to. It was a good experience to see what Ski Classics was about and get a little taste of that circuit,” the skier explained.

While the American skier embraced the change, the preference for traditional classic skiing was evident. 

“I personally prefer traditional classic skiing. It’s really fun to have kick on your skis and be able to do some striding,” Brennan shared, shedding light on their technique of choice.

Team Robinson Trentino was pivotal in supporting Rosie Brennan during these events. 

“They provided us good support and made it possible for us to do the races,” the athlete expressed gratitude. The partnership blossomed after an introduction at the Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet in the 2022 season, leading to an official position with the Pro Team.

Specific kind of strength

Reflecting on the physical and mental preparation needed for both Ski Classics and the World Cup, Rosie highlighted the importance of double-poling strength for the former. 

“In Ski Classics, you obviously need to be very strong in double-poling, and that takes quite a bit of training time to gain that specific kind of strength.”

As the Ski Classics circuit introduces longer races, including the Janteloppet 100km, Rosie Brennen admitted feeling a bit intimidated by the prospect. 

“That’s definitely too far. I don’t know exactly what Ski Classics races I will be doing during the season, but I hope to, at some point, get the courage to go 100 kilometers.”

Interest in long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing is growing in North America

With the World Cup making its way to North America in the upcoming winter, Rosie expressed excitement about showcasing the sport’s growth and popularity in the region. 

“It’s a unique opportunity for us to showcase not only some of our venues but also our fans and the growing interest in cross-country skiing in the US.”

While Brennan acknowledged the interest of American fans in Ski Classics, they highlighted the need for more awareness. 

“People are not yet very sure about what it is. I think that’s a strong area of growth for Ski Classics. We have marathons in the US, and they have a lot of people. It would be great to have a Ski Classics event in North America to include people from all over the World.”

As Rosie anticipates the challenges and triumphs of the upcoming season, one thing is certain. Despite the World Cup being her priority, the journey into the Ski Classics circuit has opened up a world of new possibilities and experiences.

Are you interested in long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more.

*Original article published on 27.11.2023 – updated