After a demanding season, she made changes – and found new motivation.

Two years ago, she dominated the season from December to April, winning Vasaloppet, Marcialonga, and 8 of 14 events. The Norwegian Legend reached the podium in every event and won the Ski Classics overall with a massive margin.

The following season was very different. Even though Emilie Fleten won five key races last year, including Marcialonga, the season felt like a setback marked by pressure and stress.

This winter, she has “only” won two races. Her Pro Team is shutting down after the season, and she turns 34 this summer. Still, Fleten has decided to continue her career.

“I could have retired. It would have been easy to justify. But there are things I want to keep working on, things I started working on this year,” she tells Langrenn.com.

Fleten is far from satisfied. On the contrary, she has not felt this hungry in a long time.

Brought in a World Champion

After last season, Fleten was exhausted.

“Last year, I felt a lot of stress and pressure after the incredible season the year before. I felt very little joy. After the final race, I was completely drained, and I was on the verge of tears,” she says.

Fleten realized she had to make changes to turn things around. She wanted to win again, specifically Vasaloppet and the Grand Classics, but also something more fundamental: she wanted more joy and inspiration. To help her, she brought in a proven winner: Hans Christer Holund.

“He is a sparring partner and someone I can discuss things with, someone who is wise, reflective, and has a lot of knowledge, and who inspires me,” says Fleten, and continues:

“He gives me a lot of calm and support, and I need people like that around me.”

Together with the former World Champion, Fleten has reworked her routines and gained a new perspective on her training.

It has led to a significant boost, both physically and mentally.

“I feel that my body has been much more balanced this year and more stable. Treadmill sessions and tests have been very good throughout the autumn, and winning Vasaloppet this year means a lot to me. It is the biggest race you can win,” says Fleten, and continues:

“But one thing is the results. The most important things are the motivation and inspiration I bring to training every day, and the joy I feel in what I do. He has helped me find that genuine love for skiing again.”

What specifically has Holund contributed?

“I do a lot of the same things as before, but he has come in with some new ideas and some new sessions. He has also helped me structure my training and place the sessions, so I get more quality in the key workouts.”

Is Holund a contributing factor to your decision to continue?

“Yes.”

More motivated than ever

This year, Fleten finished second overall in Ski Classics for the second year in a row, again behind Anikken Gjerde Alnæs.

She does not see Alnæs’ retirement as any guarantee that things will be easier next season.

“There will always be new challengers,” she says.

But Fleten is more motivated than ever. The goal remains the same: the four major Grand Classics and the overall title.

In negotiations

Which Pro Team she will race for next season is still undecided. But the Norwegian star reveals that she is in talks with several of the biggest Pro Teams.

As one of the top athletes in the field, she undoubtedly has a strong negotiating position.

Emilie Fleten lives in Östersund with her partner Emil Persson. The 2023 Vasaloppet winner is one of the stars of the Swedish Lager 157 Ski Team.

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