The sprint comet from Bardufoss, Norway, became the topic of the weekend during the season premiere at Beitostølen. Now, the 23-year-old reveals why and how Northern Norway is emerging as a powerhouse in Norwegian cross-country skiing.

It was impossible not to notice: Northern Norway was well-represented, if not over-represented, on the podium both at the star-studded Norwegian national season premiere at Beitostølen last weekend and in Muonio, Finland, the previous weekend, where they faced a field worthy of a World Cup.

In both places, reigning sprint national champion Erik Valnes from Bardufoss won the sprint, while the two women, Ingrid Andrea Gulbrandsen and Anna Svendsen from Team Elon Northern Norway, secured second and third places.

In Muonio, only hundredths separated Svendsen from German Olympic champion Pia Fink and victory, while Gulbrandsen ensured a double Northern Norwegian presence on the podium.

At Beitostølen, the two switched places: Gulbrandsen was barely four-tenths away from challenging sprint queen Kristine Stavås Skistad in the final, while Svendsen took the final podium spot.

But it was Gulbrandsen who stole the show on Friday. The 23-year-old from Team Elon Northern Norway crushed Skistad and the rest of the national team elite in the prologue: The young athlete from Bardufoss was over seven seconds faster than Skistad, who won all five last winter’s World Cup sprints.

Read More: Kristine Stavås Skistad: “It’s an insane feeling”

Unique training community

Gulbrandsen is clear about what has contributed to her sudden success: In addition to skilled coaches and a good support system, they have a truly unique and inclusive training culture.

“We’ve always had a good cross-country environment in Northern Norway. But before, it was mostly me and the guys, as I’ve been the only girl for a long time. But this year, we’ve become a group of four or five girls and trained a lot with Anna (Svendsen). She was on the national elite team before, but now she’s back here, and she’s amazing at sprinting,” says Gulbrandsen.

She also credits her club colleague Erik Valnes for his dedication and the way he contributes to the Northern Norwegian environment.

“He’s one of the world’s very best sprinters, and I learn a lot from Erik. He’s incredibly good at taking the time to share with the rest of us in Team Elon Northern Norway,” says Gulbrandsen, highlighting an example from last season:

“During the Scandinavian Cup in Falun last winter, he spent the whole day before the sprint race going through the course, teaching us how to navigate the turns and where we should be especially careful to get into the best possible position. Having such people around means a lot. It makes all of us better.”

Valnes also excels in distance races. The day after the sprint in Beitostølen, he won the 10-kilometer classic with a significant margin, leaving the season premiere with two victories.

Now all three are ready for the World Cup premiere in Ruka from November 24 to 26: Anna Svendsen and Ingrid Andrea Gulbrandsen are selected for the sprint, while Erik Valnes will also compete in the 10-kilometer classic.

Also Read: World Cup calendar for the 2023/2024 winter season