In mid-June, the new Team Aker Daehlie was presented at a press conference in Oslo, with several high-class athletes competing for a long-distance skiing team focusing on Ski Classics, a traditional cross-country ski team, a para cross-country ski team, and a “next generation” team. In addition, the team has recruited two famous names that will support the team as mentors: Maja Dahlqvist and Dario Cologna.

On the same day as the team was released, ProXCskiing talked to Dario Cologna about his past career in the World Cup, his future plans, and his new role in Team Aker Daehlie.

Dario Cologna is one of the most successful Swiss cross-country skiers and has announced his retirement as a professional skier in the World Cup after the past season 2021/22. The now 36-year-old has influenced the cross-country skiing world for 16 seasons competing in the World Cup and achieving several victories. The number Four seems to suit him as he is a 4-time Olympic Gold medalist, 4-time overall World Cup winner, 4-time Distance World Cup winner, as well as a 4-time Tour de Ski winner. In addition, he became World Champion in Val di Fiemme in 2013 and can put a total of 285 World Cup starts on his account.

It’s been a few months since your retirement. How do you feel about this decision now? 

“Very good, actually. I feel that this was the right decision for me. It was a good time.” 

Was it easy to make this decision?

“It’s never easy. It was a long time. Skiing and professional sport were my life, you could say. Training camps, traveling, and being with the team was great, but you know that the time comes at some point, and it felt like it was the right time.” 

Did you achieve everything you ever wanted?

“As a young skier, I would never have dared to dream that I could achieve so much. As a Swiss, it was not evident that you could become Olympic and World Champion. It was all very new, and considering that, I would say I have achieved pretty much everything in cross-country skiing. Of course, personally, I could have reached more at the Olympic Games for example, but if I have a look at the overall career, it feels quite complete. I am very thankful for all falling into place and that I was able to have such a successful career.” 

What’s your personal highlight if you look back on your career?

“There are many highlights. Of course, to win the overall World Cup for the first time was very special. The duel with Northug, where he passed by me and I managed to pass by him in the end, that was pretty cool. Also, the first Olympic gold medal was very special, and maybe most special were the Olympic wins in Sochi when I had my comeback after tearing ligaments shortly before.”

Cologna had slipped on ice, injured himself during a running session in November 2013, and raced to double-victory in February the same season at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. 

Would you say that you gave a boost to Swiss cross-country skiing?

“It’s always difficult to evaluate this yourself, but in general, I think cross-country skiing has become more popular with the fitness trend lately. But, yes, I guess my success has boosted cross-country skiing as it was shown more on TV and more Swiss sports enthusiasts became interested in the sport.” 

Shortly before the new Team Aker Daehlie was presented, Dario Cologna published on social media about two new partnerships, Daehlie Sportswear and New Balance shoes, which “will be my exclusive partners for my future sports endeavors”, as he writes. 

What is coming next? What can we look forward to?

“Wait and see. There will be some projects during the summer. I am trying to stay fit. And today, there was the presentation of the new Team Aker Daehlie.” 

What will be your role in this team? You were presented as a mentor. 

“Yes, I was presented as a mentor, so my role will not necessarily be an athlete, but maybe I will race two or three races during winter. That’s my goal. Without very high ambitions, but, if possible, I want to race some Ski Classics events with the team. And otherwise, being a support as a mentor especially for the younger athletes.” 

Dario Cologna has already competed in some Ski Classics events before. 2016 he came 5th at Vasaloppet, and in 2020 he reached the Top 25 at Marcialonga. In 2019, during Season IX, Engadin Ski Marathon was presented as the only event in free technique in the history of Ski Classics when Dario Cologna won the race on home grounds. 

Which events will we see you competing in? What are your goals?

“I’m not planning to train fully for the races as I will also have other projects going on. I will definitely try my best, but I don’t expect to be able to run at the front. I already did Vasaloppet and Marcialonga, so maybe Birkebeinerrennet and La Diagonela, potentially Vasaloppet, again.”

Would you go double-poling in these events?

“Yes, definitely. That’s what prevailed and how it’s done today.” 

Even though we will see Dario Cologna racing again, he, for now, enjoys his newfound time with the family and his little son.  

What are you most looking forward to as a World Cup pensioner?

“Of course, I am happy to have more time to spend with the family and especially the little one. It’s also nice to slip the high pressure for training. I still like the sport, and I still enjoy training. But I look forward to the time generally, there are many exciting new things coming up, and it’s a big difference to the professional sport. It’s also nice with a smooth transition, and still competing in Ski Classics now.