The 33-year-old from Norway is stepping away from professional skiing after 13 seasons at the highest level. Stian Hoelgaard has decided to hang up his skis.

A Bittersweet Farewell

How does it feel to retire after spending half your life in cross-country skiing and long-distance racing?

“It feels strange and bittersweet. But I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. I could have easily done another season, and I considered it until last week, after Marcialonga Bodø. But now I know it’s the right decision. I’m happy to step away before I get tired of it.”

What are you most looking forward to now?

“Not having to constantly worry about getting sick. Being able to pick up my kids from daycare and hug them when they are sick. Celebrating Christmas without stress. Not having to plan every weekend around my needs. That will be nice.”

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The Journey

“Of those I have competed against since the beginning, only two remain: Andreas Nygaard and Morten Eide Pedersen. Nygaard and I had our breakthrough at the same time, at Vasaloppet in 2014. He finished sixth, and I was eighth. After that, his career took off a bit more than mine, but that race was the start for both of us,” says Hoelgaard to Langrenn.com.

Since then, Nygaard has secured 19 Ski Classics Pro Tour victories on his résumé. Hoelgaard, on the other hand, never claimed the top spot but reached the podium 16 times.

Also Read: Final Ski Classics Standings Season XVI – All Bib Winners

Close, But No Victory

Six second place finishes and ten third place finishes – are you bitter about never winning?

“No, not really. I was close several times, but the simple truth is that I wasn’t good enough to take the win.”

However, Hoelgaard won the Youth Bib in Ski Classics twice, in 2016 and 2017.

See here all the Ski Classics results from Stian Hoelgaard.

Vasaloppet at the Core

Vasaloppet has been the centerpiece of Hoelgaard’s long-distance career.

“One of my strongest memories is when we swept the podium in Vasaloppet with Team Koteng in 2019: Tore Bjørseth Berdal won, I finished second, and Torleif Syrstad was third. The best man won in the end, but we all felt like we had won together. I will never forget that.”

His most painful memory also comes from Vasaloppet.

“The following year, in 2020, I lost the sprint to Petter Eliassen in the final stretch. We broke away with 30 kilometers to go, and those were the toughest 30 kilometers I have ever skied. Losing that sprint was tough, but I gave everything I had, and you can’t do much more than that. I’m proud of my performance, even though it was painful to lose.”

A Skier by Circumstance

Becoming a skier was never the original plan. Hoelgaard wanted to be a professional soccer player. But eventually, he realized that it would be difficult, so he switched to ski school in Sirdal.

He spent a few years competing in traditional cross-country skiing at the Norwegian Cup level but struggled with results, often finishing outside the top 30. So, when he got an offer to join the long-distance team Team NPRO before the 2012/13 season, he took the chance.

“It was a completely different level of professionalism compared to all-round skiing. Here, I received a small salary, and all travel expenses were covered.”

From that point on, Hoelgaard never looked back.

Elevating the Game with Alsgaard

After two years with NPRO, Hoelgaard joined Thomas Alsgaard’s Team Leaseplan GO, where he spent three seasons.

“I am very grateful to Thomas for trusting me. He participated in all training camps and races, opened his training facility in Nannestad for us, and let us use his treadmill for testing. I developed a lot during those three years.”

From the 2017/18 season, he joined Team Koteng, which later became Team Aker Dæhlie. Apart from the 2021/22 season with Team Curira, Hoelgaard remained with that team until his retirement.

“That’s a long time, and we mostly had the same group, the same support staff, throughout the years. That’s what I will take with me—the people, the trips, and the experiences.”

A Quieter Life in Nittedal

Now, Stian Hoelgaard and his wife live in Nittedal with their two young children. They have settled in well, although some neighbors were initially puzzled by his lifestyle. Now, the noise from the treadmill is fading as roller ski sessions become less frequent and at more reasonable hours.

What’s next for your career?

“I don’t have anything lined up yet, but I’ll take some time to find a job. I have a master’s degree in economics, and I’m looking forward to using it.”

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