He has a free pass in two distances for the World Championships in Trondheim. But it’s not in the distance he most wants to win. For Simen Hegstad Krüger, 33, the goal is clear ahead of this winter’s major championship: “I want to win the 50 km!”

“It is clearly the distance I have the greatest hopes for,” says the Norwegian traditional cross-country skier, who also seeks redemption after the unusual team selection at the World Championships in Planica 2023.

He was excluded from the 50km race after winning three (!) World Championships gold medals in the same championship. A decision that perhaps only national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum understood.

“We talked about it afterward, and that’s what I appreciate about Eirik: that we can discuss things directly instead of through others,” says Krüger, who still doesn’t understand why he wasn’t allowed to race.

Medal Collector

Simen Hegstad Krüger is a man for big occasions. He has started four times in the Olympics and has been on the podium every time. In seven World Championship starts, he has six podium finishes!

“I’m good at peaking when it really matters. That’s why I might be a bit unfocused and have poor results at times when the races aren’t as important,” he says, likely referring to the start of last season when he finished among the last in the opening race.

“The fact that I’m already guaranteed a spot in the World Championships gives me peace of mind in preparing. I know I don’t need to be in peak form early in the season, and I can save my top shape for the World Championships. But I plan to participate in as much of the World Cup season as possible. I think competing is among the best training you can get,” says Krüger, who has also planned to compete in the Tour de Ski.

Two Free Spots, But Not Where He Wants

According to Langrenn.com, he has a free pass for the 10km classic and 20km skiathlon, but it’s the 50km freestyle mass start where he feels he has the best chance.

“I know I have to break away if I want to win. It’s not easy to get rid of Klæbo & co., but at 50km, I think it’s possible. I don’t like that the skiathlon is now 20km instead of 30km as it used to be, as there is less time to break away,” says the skier, who has won both Olympic and World Championship golds in that distance when it was 30km.

Simen also excels in freestyle at 10km, but it’s not to his advantage that it’s now in classic style. He won the 15km freestyle in Planica, and that’s a different scenario.

Also Read: Hegstad Krüger freestyle winner at the Lysebotn Opp 2024

Special 50km History

The 50km race is especially significant for the Oslo skier. He got his chance in his first World Championships in Seefeld 2019, where he placed 5th. The bronze medal from the World Championships in Oberstdorf 2021 has a different taste. Krüger won it when Klæbo was disqualified after a crash with Bolshunov in the final stretch. And in Planica 2023, he was left out after winning three World Championship golds in the same championship.

His Olympic bronze from Beijing 2022 was particularly impressive, as Krüger came directly from isolation with COVID-19 in Italy, missing the rest of the championship.

Read More: Simen Hegstad Krüger wins the men’s 50km race at the Holmenkollen also won the 50km in Holmenkollen World Cup

Newly Married and a New House

“I won’t be over-preparing before the World Championships. My approach will be the same as usual, which I trust after good results in the past. I’ll likely prepare at Sjusjøen.”

A lot has also happened in the 33-year-old’s life since the last season. He got married, and the couple bought a house in Holmenkollåsen. Additionally, Simen Hegstad Krüger has contracted COVID-19 for the third time, but now he’s back in full swing and hopes to be in top form once again for the World Championships.

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