Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, impressed everyone with her top performance at Marcialonga. The Norwegian Pro Tour athlete openly talked to ProXCskiing about her goals and motivations for changing to the long-distance circuit while also sharing her thoughts about skiing and life.

After winning Marcialonga and conquering her first Ski Classics Pro Tour victory, Magni Smedås felt great. In a post-race interview with Ski Classics, she declared it was a magical day. 

Magni had already shown in the past season that she could handle Marcialonga, finishing in the 5th position. But this year, her body was strong enough to conquer the podium.

Also Read: Magni Smedås About Her Victory In Marcialonga

“I was hoping for the podium, but I am completely overwhelmed by the victory,” says Smedås from her home in Lillehammer after returning from Italy. 

The Norwegian Pro Tour skier was feeling very good about her achievement and almost like a superstar in Norway. 

“My head is still in the clouds. Suddenly I receive calls from many people and media inquiries. I am really overwhelmed,” says Magni to ProXCskiing.

Despite expecting the podium, she confesses that the gap she managed to conquer between her and second place, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, was unexpected. During the 70-kilometer race in Italy, she felt strong all the way. 

“I was feeling strong and had good skis. My body still feels good after the race.”

Read More: Solid Wins For Emil Persson and Magni Smedås At Marcialonga

Magni Smedås Had A Quick Progression In Long-Distance Skiing

Despite being a skier for almost her whole life, with several participations at the World Cup and podiums at the Norwegian National Championships, it was only last season that she decided to step into the long-distance circuit. 

She had a previous experience in Birkebeinerrennet 2018. As soon as that, Magni showed she had some long-distance qualities, conquering the 8th position at one of the most prestigious Ski Classics events.

“I remember that day. It was a good result on a very cold day. I froze all the way up. I remember thinking that it was a really hard challenge, too long for me at that time,” says Magni while thinking about her first Ski Classics race. 

At that time, competing at the Pro Tour circuit was not part of her plans. 

“I didn’t think about anything but just racing, trying to do my best during the race. But I got stronger in the end.”

And the proof that Magni became stronger is that she found almost immediate success when she decided to go long-distance racing in 2022. 

The athlete finished her first ever Marcialonga in the 5th position, Tartu Maraton in 3rd place, and La Venosta Time Trial and Reistadløpet in the 5th position. She also conquered the podium at the Ski Challengers rollerski races Alliansloppet, conquering 3rd place and winning Tanumsloppet. 

Then, she became a full-time Pro Tour skier at Team Eksjöhus, and her shape has been improving. 

“It always feels good to push in new ways. And long-distance skiing is much harder than traditional skiing. You must be able to keep up the rhythm for so many hours and you must manage your energy levels. If you fail on that, you are in a bad place.”

Why did Magni decide to focus her career on a new adventure? 

Sadly, she lost her father in a car accident three years ago, and this sporting career shift was something she needed to find new motivation, both for sport and her daily life. 

“It was like a fresh start.”

The Way Ahead For Magni Smedås

“I had double-poled a lot when training for traditional skiing,” explains Magni about her almost immediate success when she stepped into the Ski Classics world. A solid background of strength and double-poling technique made it easy for her to become a long-distance skier.

However, the Norwegian athlete still feels she is not as strong as her main competitors and needs a lot more hours using the double-poling technique. She feels that Ida Dahl, Astrid Øyre Slind, and Emilie Fleten are so strong that they can keep their double-poling performance longer than she can.

“I get more tired than my competitors earlier in the competition. I feel that Astrid, Ida, and Emilie are stronger when my arms are already burning. But I am glad I can be this good in my first season.”

Despite feeling the need to train more long double-poling sessions, Magni still loves the feeling of the more intense sessions. 

“Now I need more 5–6-hour sessions. I must listen to my body.”

It might be her first full season as a long-distance skier, but she has already achieved one of the most important podium and feels that her top shape has yet to arrive. 

“I didn’t reach any top shape. I hope I can reach more podiums and that I can challenge Ida Dahl,” says Magni, while also sharing her nutrition secret. 

“I eat the big packages of Haribo. It gives me a lot of energy. I burn many calories, like over 2000 kcal in Marcialonga, so the gummies help me a lot.”

A Life Of Skiing, Laughing And Helping People Through The Joy Of Skiing

Every time Magni is at a press conference, post-race interview, or just by watching her Instagram feed, it is possible to see that she is a confident and optimistic character. 

“I love skiing with friends. I smile and laugh all the time. This is who I am, outside and being with friends,” says Magni.

Despite facing some adversities in life, she found the strength to move through the joy of skiing. And now, she helps other people move on with the power of skiing and outdoors. 

“People have to appreciate their life because it is so short.”

Besides skiing, Magni works as a personal assistant. 

“I do my best to help other people achieve their best.” 

The Norwegian athlete works with a group of people with psychological and physical disabilities in Lillehammer, and her goal is to make them smile through skiing. 

The next race for Magni Smedås is Jizerská50, a 50km classic technique event in the Czech Republic on February 12.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.