The 16-year-old competed for Sweden at the European Youth Olympic Festival last season and is considered one of the biggest talents in the junior category. Now, he is also part of the Lager 157 Ski Team youth initiative.

Valter Blomberg Gerle turns 17 in a few weeks. He was selected for the European Youth Olympic Festival last season and is among the best in the junior category. When the Lager 157 Ski Team recently presented its new youth program, Valter was one of the athletes named to the roster.

“I think it’s a great learning experience to train with them. It’s good training, I think,” he told Langd.se.

Also Read: Lager 157 Ski Team unveils renewed youth squad for upcoming season

Traditional skiing remains the focus

Valter is coming off a successful season, where he was among the athletes who represented Sweden at the European Youth Olympic Festival.

“It went pretty well. I had quite a few good races, but also a few dips that didn’t go as well. But overall, it was a good season,” he says.

Even though he’s now part of the long-distance skiing initiative, his primary focus will still be on traditional cross-country skiing. Valter has three more years as a junior, but he plans to race some long-distance events next season.

“Traditional skiing will be my main focus over the next few years. I want to see how things develop,” he says, and adds:

“I’ll do some long-distance races this winter.”

What made you want to join this program?

“For me, it was because I’ve done quite a bit of double poling before. I’ve raced some long-distance events, so I want to keep doing that and develop even more. I think it can help improve my traditional skiing too, especially in classic, but also in skate.”

“Fast during the long sessions”

A few weeks ago, he and the other youth skiers joined the Ski Classics squad for a training camp in Idre, Sweden.

“It was fun to ski with them. It was tough to keep up, and I’m not used to so much hard double poling for an entire week.”

Was there anything in particular you took away or learned from that first camp?

“Yes, they go fast during the long sessions.”

What are your goals for the upcoming winter?

“My goal is to qualify for the Junior World Championships. Also to win a JSM (Junior Ski Championships) gold and the overall cup,” he concludes.

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