Britta Johansson Norgren, the Swedish skier from Lager 157 Ski Team, announced last Friday that she would retire after Ylläs-Levi. And on Saturday, she made a final strong performance, winning the Grand Finale of the Visma Ski Classics Season XII, before putting her skis on the shelf, this becoming her 25th victory as a long-distance skier. 

“I have decided that this will be my last competition, everything has an end, and it’s time to spend time on other things than myself and the skis,” Britta said on Vasapodden.

Johansson Norgren is the most established long-distance skier with an impressive career. Having competed in all cross-country skiing disciplines, Britta has been strong in traditional skiing. She competed in the Winter Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships as a member of the Swedish National Team. Moreover, since 2013 she has focused her career on the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour, where she became the athlete with more victories in the circuit.

Even inside both disciplines, she has demonstrated to be a proficient skier both in the distance, sprint, and uphill terrains, making her almost unique. She has fought in the Visma Ski Classics circuit for the Champion, Sprint, and Climb bibs several times.

The Secret For Britta’s Success and Longevity

The 39-year-old long-distance skier is still in her best form and improving every season, showing impressive physical and mental strength and performing better than most younger skiers competing against her. What has been the secret to Britta’s success and longevity? 

“Stay healthy,” she said during the Ylläs-Levi press conference.

“The most important part for me is trying to stay healthy. That is the key to success. Except for last season, I started almost every race. Try to stay healthy and prepared for every race.”

Staying healthy to start most of the races is undoubtedly the key to Britta’s success. She started competing in Visma Ski Classics events in 2013 in Vasaloppet. However, from 2015, Britta became a consistent skier, competing in almost every race on the calendar. 

Data About Britta Johansson Norgren’s Career

When we analyze the statistics about Britta’s races, it is fantastic to verify that she has finished most of the races in the top 3, with 25 victories and 55 podium finishes. The only time she finished a race out of top10 was at Birkebeinerrennet in 2015.

Britta Johansson Norgren is, most of all, a solid long-distance skier. Her best results show it, just like her 2nd position at Vasaloppet and Årefjällsloppet, the two longest Visma Ski Classics circuit races. Moreover, Britta maintains a consistent performance, finishing almost every race in the top 5. This season, the only exception has been Reistadløpet, where she used the double-poling technique in a challenging course, finishing in the 8th position.

• Total number of Visma Ski Classics Champion titles: 6
• Total number of Visma Ski Classics victories: 25
• Total number of Visma Ski Classics races: 85
• Total number of Visma Ski Classics podiums: 55
• Vasaloppet victories: 2
• Marcialonga victories: 3
• Total number of FIS races: 420
• FIS World Cup starts: 134
• Winter Olympics participations: 3
• Nordic Ski World Championships starts: 9