Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen has been a key figure in the Norwegian biathlon national team for many years. Now the 33-year-old is hinting at plans to retire.

The veteran from Geilo has been in excellent form this season. The 33-year-old returned home from the Olympics in Milano/Cortina with two silver medals – in the sprint and the relay. In total, he has recorded 10 podium finishes, including 5 victories, and numerous top-10 results.

But nearly 15 years after his World Cup debut, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen is far from satisfied. He is now aiming to continue competing through the World Championships in Holmenkollen in 2029.

“I dream of ending my career after the World Championships in Holmenkollen,” said Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen after Friday’s fifth place in the sprint in Holmenkollen.

Not a given

A strong season both at the Olympics and in the World Cup has boosted the 33-year-old’s motivation.

“The goal is to maintain a high enough level to be part of the team all the way to the World Championships. In Norway, it’s not easy to make the team, but I feel we have passed the toughest period. The competition has been extremely tough in recent years, but now it has opened up a bit again,” Sjåstad Christiansen told FondoItalia.

However, he does not take it for granted that he will make the team for a home World Championships in three years, even though the Bø brothers have retired.

“It is absolutely not a given. You have to perform every season, and I hope I’m good enough to compete at home in the World Championships. That would be a perfect way to end my career.”

Credits the team for a strong season

Sjåstad Christiansen gives part of the credit for the strong season – both his own and his teammates’ – to the team’s training culture and hunger.

“The mental aspect is the most important. We are confident that we are mentally prepared, and we work very hard towards the end of the season. We don’t take a break until the last race is finished, and I think that’s the key,” he says.

Overall, it delivers results, even on days when not everything goes perfectly.

“If you are mentally switched on, your form might not always be perfect, but it’s good enough – and that helps you stay calm and make the right decisions. Even on rest days, you manage to fit in some training, and you try to do the work every single day. I think the results show that we are still in season,” says Sjåstad Christiansen.

After finishing fifth in Friday’s sprint, the veteran had a strong result on Saturday’s pursuit, in 6th place. The World Cup final in Holmenkollen concludes with a Mass Start on Sunday.

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