The biathlon star who beat Klæbo and stormed onto the World Cup podium in cross-country skiing last winter is making his second major career decision this spring.

Einar Hedegart is done with Fischer, turning down the world’s largest ski manufacturer in favor of a French ski brand. The biathlete announced the move himself on social media.

The decision marks his second major ski career choice in less than two months.

The 23-year-old from Inderøy has long been a standout among the cross-country elite but truly became the talk of the winter when he beat Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and finished second in the World Cup in Holmenkollen, just a week after the World Championships in Trondheim. Two weeks later, he became the Norwegian champion in biathlon.

Last weekend, the talented Norwegian from the same region as Petter Northug competed in the Birkebeinerløpet, aiming to improve on his result from last year, when he finished fourth in the prestigious trail race. However, this year’s race didn’t go as planned.

Read More: Cross-country skier with dominant victory at the Birkebeinerløpet

Signed with a private cross-country team

Last winter, Hedegart had more success in cross-country skiing than in biathlon. The 23-year-old from Inderøy has competed in two cross-country World Cup events, first in Lillehammer in December and then in Holmenkollen the weekend after the World Championships in Trondheim. There, the biathlete secured second place, beating the entire World Cup elite.

He also claimed three wins and one-second place in the Norwegian Cup this winter. Time and again, he is asked whether he plans to switch to cross-country skiing full-time.

Hedegart was indeed close to quitting biathlon. But after his sprint victory and King’s Cup at the Norwegian Championships in late March, he decided to continue with the rifle on his back. Shortly afterward, he was headhunted by the private cross-country team Team Anlegg Øst Entreprenør.

How do you like being on a cross-country team?

“I really enjoy it. I’m able to train very well, and my form is actually really good. I know that. I’m not worried about my shape, even though the Birkebeinerløpet didn’t go as planned,” Hedegart told Langrenn.com.

Now, a competition-free period awaits Einar Hedegart. This week, he and the rest of Team Anlegg Øst Entreprenør are heading to a high-altitude training camp, but they are expected to participate in the Blink Festival during the first week of August.

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