The Norwegian Championships gold slipped away in the final kilometer, and Hedegart won, again. Fjorden Ree is left with disappointment, bitterness, and uncertainty.

The 25-year-old from Støren finds little joy in his first Norwegian Championships medal since the spectacular victory in the 50km in 2022. After the silver in the 10-kilometer race in Steinkjer, Andreas Fjorden Ree feels only disappointment and bitterness.

Cracked in the final kilometer

Fjorden Ree started with a high bib number and had Hedegart’s times to chase throughout the race, leading from 1.8 kilometers and all the way until just under one kilometer remained.

But from 8.9 kilometers to the finish, he lost almost ten seconds to Hedegart, despite his rival taking time to fall in the finishing straight. At the line, the gap was 7.2 seconds in Hedegart’s favor.

“I would have liked to be a bit better today. I’m very disappointed,” Fjorden Ree told Langrenn.com.

Convinced it cost him an Olympic spot

Fjorden Ree admits he is bitter over the costly seconds.

“I don’t get the maximum out of myself today, and I think I could have executed the race a bit better. I’m six seconds ahead of Hedegart after one kilometer and seven seconds behind at the finish. So, I get a bit too eager, it becomes a bit too hard, and then I pay for it at the end.”

Fjorden Ree is now convinced that the Olympic dream is over, even though the selection will not be announced until next week.

“It’s difficult. There aren’t many races left now that can make a difference, and today was the important one. I wouldn’t have been completely sure anyway, but the chances would have been greater if I had won today,” he says resignedly.

National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum is not as categorical.

“We’ll see. We need to finish the Norwegian Championships first, but we will select eight men,” he told Langrenn.com.

He does not rule out that Saturday’s skiathlon could be taken into consideration.

“We’ll finish NM first, then we’ll put the pieces together over the weekend.”

Sent down to the Norwegian Cup

The Olympics were the main goal. Now, Fjorden Ree is unsure how the rest of the season will unfold and fears it will be tough to secure opportunities at international races later this winter.

“First, I’ll do the skiathlon and the relay at the Norwegian Championships on Saturday and Sunday. But after that, it’s uncertain,” says Fjorden Ree.

According to the Norwegian Ski Association’s seasonal regulations, the Norwegian Championships skiathlon can count toward Olympic selection in borderline cases.

“We’ll see what I’m allowed to race. It could be a long time until the next World Cup for me. So, it will probably be the Norwegian Cup in Granåsen eventually. I’ll always find some ski races to do. Maybe I should prioritize training and try to take a few steps.”

Written off before the selection is final

Fjorden Ree is also disappointed with the media coverage, which he believes is quick to write him off based on single results.

“People forget quickly. I’ve been four-tenths of a second from beating the guy who is probably the favorite to win this distance at the Olympics, and the next weekend you’re written off. It’s brutal,” sighs Fjorden Ree.

He points out that he has been the closest to beating Hedegart in two of the three 10-kilometer races this season.

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.