Last fall, he made a decision that changed everything: now Haakon Holden is aiming for the podium with a Pro Team at the very top.

After six years as a long-distance skier, the breakthrough finally came. Last winter, he delivered a strong fourth place at the La Venosta ITT, just four seconds from the podium. Now, Haakon Holden is ready to join the Norwegian Pro Team, Team Kaffebryggeriet Driv, which specifically wanted Holden on the team.

The door stood wide open

“It all started when I did a training session with Vetle Thyli this spring. I asked him if they might be interested in an old-timer like me joining the team,” Holden told ProXCskiing.com’s sister site, Langrenn.com.

The 32-year-old from Lillehammer says he was a bit nervous. But the response exceeded expectations: the door was wide open.

“Vetle said it was definitely relevant and told me to send an email to the pro Team Director. That got a bite right away,” he says.

From there, things moved quickly. By June, the contract was signed, and this last weekend, he was ready for his first training camp with the Kaffebryggeriet Driv squad.

Completely changed his training

Before this season, Holden’s best result was 12th at Vasaloppet, and he had never cracked the top 20 otherwise. Last winter, he was on the verge of a podium.

The Pro Team athlete attributes the progress to extensive changes in his training approach leading into the season.

“I had very good experiences with what I did last year, especially from late autumn and throughout the season,” Holden says modestly.

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Now he hopes to take the final step onto the podium this winter. And that’s where the Pro Team change comes in.

“I’ve had some rounds of discussion with my current team, looking at how to push things further and reach a higher level,” he says.

Better conditions

For Haakon Holden, it’s not just about how he structures his physical training, but also the framework around him that supports that foundation.

Throughout the spring, he had in-depth conversations with Pro Team Director Mathias Noren of the Norwegian Pro Team, Team Kaffebryggeriet Driv, and was subsequently offered a place on the squad.

“The training group we have on the team now is very strong. I also became very motivated when I heard how much they emphasize getting new skis for the fleet and ski testing. The entire support system surrounding the team appears to be very solid. It’s more than I’ve had before. I’m sold,” he says.

Four consistent skiers

The 32-year-old now becomes one of four male skiers in the Norwegian Pro Team for the upcoming season. In addition to Vetle Thyli, one of the team’s founders who lives in Lillehammer, the team includes Fredrik Helgestad and Henrik Syverinsen.

“It’s a tight-knit group of quite consistent skiers who can all be in the top ten on a good day – and who all want more. The goal is for one of us, and in my case, preferably me, to get on the podium this winter,” says Holden, revealing his main career goal:

“I have ambitions to reach the podium at Vasaloppet before too long.”

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How far is it to the podium?

“I feel like it’s not that far. We have several skiers with different strengths to draw on, and we can ski more together during the race and help each other that way. The whole team is strong enough that if everything clicks and we play to our strengths, anything is possible,” Holden says.

“I believe that if I’m having a good day, I can finish with a strong sprint. So having teammates who can help position me in key moments is worth its weight in gold. And I’ve seen that Kaffebryggeriet had very good skis in certain snow conditions this winter. So, if everything falls into place, we all have a chance at the podium – and that’s extremely motivating.”

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