Almost three years ago, the Czech Ski Association brought in a Norwegian World Champion to help their star Michal Novak with his technique. Now the collaboration has taken off.

It all began when he was asked to assist Michal Novak’s coach in 2022. When Novak made a giant leap and finished fourth in the sprint at the 2023 World Championships in Planica, the Norwegian was asked to contribute with technique work for more of the athletes. And from there, things snowballed.

Now Ragnar Bragvin Andresen is entering his third season as technique coach for the Czech National Team.

“It’s about conveying the basics and helping them understand how to move efficiently on skis, so they can ski fast using as little energy as possible,” he says to Langrenn.com.

The results speak for themselves. Rarely has the Czech Republic had so many athletes competing at the top level in the World Cup. This past winter, the country had ten skiers with top-30 placements in the World Cup. Three of them were in the top 6. That’s nearly double the number from the previous year.

But the 37-year-old from Njård, who won five World Championship golds in roller skiing before ending his active career in 2024, doesn’t want to take all the credit.

“I’m just incredibly grateful to have been brought in and allowed to be part of the development in a system that’s open to growth. It’s a joint effort between athletes, support staff, and strong leadership that has created this progress. I’m just one of many,” Bragvin Andresen says humbly to Langrenn.com, and adds:

“Others can comment on my work.”

The athletes are thrilled: “What Ragnar does is insane”

And they do comment — willingly — especially Michal Novak himself.

“What Ragnar does is insane, in a good way. I’ve never met anyone who can see so many details in an athlete’s movement pattern. The way he communicates it, with an open mindset and curiosity, completely without ego — that’s truly unique,” Novak tells Langrenn.com.

The Czech star explains that he’s made great strides in several areas since he started working with the Norwegian.

“That includes concrete aspects like efficiency, but also the joy of mastery when you take new steps and experience your technique becoming smooth and natural. That plays a huge role in cross-country skiing,” says Novak.

Also Read – José Cabeça: The Portuguese cross-country skier that trains among the best

Aiming for Olympic gold

So far, Novak’s career best is second place in the 20km freestyle in Ruka in 2023. But now he hopes to take another big leap in the upcoming season.

“The goal is sky-high: to succeed at the Olympics. If everything goes to plan, I’m confident I can be in the fight for medals there. That would be fantastic and a great reward for all the hard work we’ve put in over many years,” he says.

Novak left the World Championships in Trondheim with strong individual results: fifth in the sprint, eighth in the 10km classic, 11th in the 50km, and 16th in the skiathlon, as well as seventh in the team sprint and 11th in the relay.

Passion, curiosity, and humility

According to Bragvin Andresen, three qualities are essential for success, both as a coach and as an athlete: passion, curiosity, and humility.

Passion for sport, curiosity about development, what others are doing, and how things can be done better. And humility in recognizing that others may know just as much or do things just as well or even better. That you’ll never have all the answers. These three elements form the foundation of his coaching philosophy.

“Teaching others how to ski fast, how to master races, and helping them crack that code — that’s a passion of mine,” he says.

At the same time, Bragvin Andresen emphasizes that he doesn’t have a definitive answer or formula for becoming the best in the world.

“I don’t think it’s that Norway or I necessarily know better, but it’s clear that we’ve done a lot of good things in the past 15 years,” he says, and elaborates:

“The Norwegian model is built on coaches and athletes asking questions together and trying to find answers together. That mindset is a gift in Norwegian sports culture.”

“When you go abroad as a Norwegian coach, it’s important not to just copy the Norwegian model, but to bring that curiosity into the culture you’re working with.”

“The only thing that’s been definitively proven is that what’s in the textbook is yesterday’s knowledge — and tomorrow’s textbook hasn’t been written yet.”

And finally: Is it possible to beat Klæbo?

“Always. There’s no doubt about it. But the task is tough. He’s miles ahead in many areas. We just have to applaud and admire him,” says Bragvin Andresen enthusiastically.

“But if you stop believing you can beat him and become better than others, then you’ve already lost. And he needs to stay motivated too. All skiers are inspired by him, and so many are working incredibly hard to beat him. If he rests on his laurels for two years, he’ll fall behind too.”

Working with athletes from all over the world

Bragvin Andresen is one of the founders of Holmenkollen Treningslab, together with, among others, Marit Bjørgen and Sondre Sundby. The lab, located at the national ski arena in Holmenkollen, opened in autumn 2019 and offers testing, personal training, and training follow-up.

Bragvin Andresen began as general manager there from the start in 2019, the same year he won his last individual World Championship gold. It was through his work at the lab that his connection with the Czech Association began.

“We support athletes from more than 20 nations. Cross-country skiers, biathletes, and Nordic combined athletes use our services. It’s incredibly exciting.”

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