After his breakthrough victory at Vasaloppet in 2024, he was tipped to become the new long-distance star. Then things stalled. Last weekend, his career was on the line.

Torleif Syrstad was the big surprise when he won Vasaloppet 2024. Two weeks later, he won the 100km Janteloppet and switched teams. But the Norwegian, who was predicted to become the new long-distance star, has barely reached the podium since.

This weekend, the 32-year-old from Team Engcon struck back in Birkebeinerrennet with a one-man show for the history books.

Syrstad broke away from the field after Skramstadsetra and never looked back. At the finish, he was more than four minutes ahead of the next skier. Then tears came.

In just over two hours, he had saved his career.

Also Read: Strong performances set the tone at Birkebeinerrennet 2026

How important was this victory for your future career?

“It was important, extremely important, for my future as a skier. I don’t have the words to describe it,” Syrstad told ProXCskiing during the Ski Classics Live Sessions earlier this week.

When Syrstad won Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday, it had been 701 days since his last victory, and 741 days since he won Vasaloppet.

Close to quitting

Now the veteran reveals that his career was hanging by a thread ahead of Birkebeinerrennet.

“I had really started to doubt my ability to win races and perform at this level. And for motivation, it is important to know that I have the level required to win races and be on the podium,” says Syrstad.

“The Birken victory was absolutely crucial for me to continue. I have committed to this for many years. There is no better feeling than winning races.”

After his 2024 Vasaloppet victory, Syrstad had completed his studies to become a physiotherapist. But the win in the world’s most prestigious ski race and a contract with top Pro Team, Team Engcon, led him to put his professional career on hold to focus fully on Ski Classics.

However, new successes did not follow, and Syrstad felt it more and more.

“If you’re not winning races or standing on the podium, it’s hard to stay motivated,” he admits.

Torn between two dreams

Doubts about his skiing career, combined with a desire to start working as a physiotherapist, led Syrstad to explore other options actively.

On Monday after Birkebeinerrennet, he attended a job interview for opportunities at a clinic in his hometown of Orkanger. That outcome could have been very different had he not won Birkebeinerrennet.

“There has been a lot of talk about this job interview. It was more like a lunch with the manager at the local clinic to discuss possibilities. I miss working as a physiotherapist, and I would like to work a bit. Not full-time, but at least some,” says Syrstad.

Do you want to combine working as a physiotherapist with continued skiing?

“Yes. A 30 or 40 percent position would work well. Something like that is the dream.”

Three races remain in Ski Classics Season XVII. In about a week and a half, he will make a final decision. But that Syrstad will continue his skiing career now looks far more likely than it did before Birkebeinerrennet.

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