Several Scandinavian skiers have competed for Central European Pro Tour Teams during the past season. One of them is Frida Erkers, who was drawn to a new challenge in the form of Visma Ski Classics after many years on the Swedish national cross-country skiing scene. Thanks to a tip from an acquaintance, she got a place in the Italian Pro Team Robinson Trentino.

Frida Erkers describes how the curiosity and willingness to try something new have always been something that has driven her. This desire to try something else drove her, after a long career as a traditional cross-country skier, to apply for the long-distance races and Visma Ski Classics. Furthermore, Frida talks about how fun it was with the new challenges she faced: changing the training and competing in new places with courses she had not skied before. 

How have you experienced double poling and focused more on it?

“The shift has gone quite well. In the competitions, it has been shown that I can be fast in the beginning and keep with the group, but then I’m finished quite early in the races. It has been a tough part for me.” 

Frida describes a key to success is getting the energy intake during a race. She did not understand how important it would be to get it with sports drinks and gels. She believes that this is one factor why she got so tired relatively early in many races.

In terms of results, are you happy with your first Visma Ski Classics season? 

“I was relieved a bit at Årefjällsloppet and Ylläs-Levi, where I was seventh in both races. It was very nice to bring along those results for next season. Before that, it was a bit up and down, and there were several races where I went hard in the beginning and then faded completely. It was a little frustrating at times. I am happy with the end and that I was able to take a step during the season.” 

You’re talking about next season. Does that mean you aim to ski next year as well?

“Yes, I will.”   

Frida ending up in an Italian Pro Team is due to a former Italian skier who now lives in Falun, Sweden. She was told that Team Robinson Trentino needed more skiers. It came as a relatively late realization, about a year ago, that she wanted to go long-distance skiing. After she did not find a team, Frida almost gave up her long-distance dream. After the tip, she contacted the team, and they agreed on a collaboration. 

How has it been to compete for an Italian team, and how is it different from Sweden?

“We had a camp during autumn, but we do not meet the team that much. During the competitions, we have been together. It has been an enjoyable winter; it has been the most fun winter of my skiing career. We have been an international team with skiers from many different countries, and it has been very fun with that mix.”

“I thought I would learn a little Italian during the winter, but we have spoken English since we have been an international team. I feel that it has been familiar and a great openness in the team, an openness that you may not always see in the ski world.”  

Frida also says that she is pleased that even a smaller team can do well and fight against the big teams. She also points out that she is very happy with the material and says that the entire service has worked well around the team, even though they have limited resources. However, it is not clear if she will return to the same team next season or if there will be a change.