Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, is still young, but he has already left his mark on the world of long-distance skiing. This Season XII, the Swedish skier has already won the Individual Prologue and Tartu Maraton, and he has still many years ahead to perform at his best shape. ProXCskiing talked to Emil after his victory in Estonia to know him better. 

Emil, how do you feel about being the current SC Ranking overall leader?

“It feels great to be on the top. It feels quite unreal to have that thought to be ranked number 1 in the world on something. My challenge in upcoming races is to stay up there on the top and be consistent on the podium. To do that, I must maintain good shape for six weeks, something that is easier said than done.”

Why did you decide to focus your career on long-distance skiing instead of traditional cross-country skiing? 

“I have always preferred the longer races and double poling, so naturally, I trained more for it when I was young. I think that it is more fun to focus on the thing you are good at than things you are not that good at. I had some good results in Sweden doing some marathons and Vasaloppet. Then, Lager 157 Ski Team asked if I wanted to join them. From that point, everything is history.”

What are the best memories you have related to cross-country skiing? 

I have so many good memories related to cross-country skiing. I had so much fun on the skis, just going out, playing on the tracks, jumping, and having fun. Some of the dearest memories are some epic training sessions in the spring with friends, sun, and perfect conditions. And of course, I have to say my victories in Visma Ski Classics and the Yellow Bib last year. 

What advice would you give to a younger Emil? 

“Good question. I would probably say: train more and be more focused as a junior. You can practice much more than you think.”

What is your favorite training session? 

“In the summer, I like to do longer sessions up to 5-6 hours with an ice-cream stop in the middle. Of course, the sun must shine. In the winter, I like to do some longer sessions between the races in January in Engadin or Livigno. The tracks there are amazing, and so is the weather too.”

 Finally, what is your biggest ambition for your future as a long-distance Pro Tour skier?

 “Have fun!! Because as long as I think it’s fun, I have no problems exercising and evolving as a skier. I have many things I want to work on as a skier, small details everywhere.”

Next up in the Visma Ski Classics is Vasaloppet. The 90-kilometer classic long-distance race takes place in Sälen-Mora, Sweden, on Sunday, March 6, 2022.