A trip to the north of Italy changed my life, as I discovered my passion for cross-country skiing. This led me to pursue the sport and, eventually, want to participate in the famous Birkebeinerrennet.

In this article, I, André Santos, tell how Anders Aukland and his Pro Team helped and how Aukland’s generosity inspired me.

Back in 2015, my wife and I went on a trip that changed my life. After a period of Erasmus in Rome, my wife heard about a beautiful town in northern Italy. So, when she finished her studies, we booked a trip there. 

We landed at Bergamo Airport and got on a train to Trento. That was the beautiful place we wanted to visit, to explore its surroundings. We are both from Portugal, so it was the first time we explored the mountains and had fun in the snow.

During this visit, we eventually decided to take a train from Trento to Bolzano and, from there, a bus to the famous cross-country skiing destination Alpi di Siusi. And that day changed my life.

Walking around the trails, I saw people training on rollerskis, running intervals with poles, and more. I instantly fell in love with the sport and its ambiance, and it was just the summer part of it.

When we returned to Portugal, I decided to purchase a pair of rollerkis, buy some skiing boots and poles, and learn how to use them myself. I was probably the first person in Portugal to use it, and there are still only 3 or 4 people doing it.

From there, it was pure passion. I started following every World Cup, World Championships, and Winter Olympics until I learned about Ski Classics and the Pro Teams. So, my passion for cross-country skiing got even more specific, and I became addicted to long-distance skiing and double-poling training. I started following every race, studying the technique, and reading every research paper that could help me become faster while training on the Portuguese roads.

First Time On Snow At Birkebeinerrennet 2016

At the end of 2015, an idea started growing in the back of my mind. I wanted to do the famous Norwegian race Birkebeiner. But, as a freshly graduated student, traveling to Norway and buying skiing equipment was a tremendous cost for me. So, I had to become creative.

I started contacting Norwegian companies operating in Portugal to fund me. Some directors thought it would be fun, and eventually, they decided to help me. I got the money for the flight and to buy some needed equipment. 

But the reality is that I live by the beach. Despite rolleskiing every day with an ocean view, I only knew a little about snow, waxing, or real skiing. So, I needed to figure out what type of skis to buy, and I knew absolutely nothing about waxing. Finally, I had the money to travel to Oslo. But I couldn’t afford the trip and accommodation in Rena, especially during that weekend. Again, time to get creative.

Getting There With The Help Of The Aukland Squad

I started sending emails, hoping that someone could help me. I didn’t know who to contact, so I decided to reach out directly to pro skiers. Yes, those guys that train to win races and don’t have time to care about a rookie’s needs. 

Obviously, almost nobody had time to take care of me, except for one team. The people that were able to give me a hand were the heroes of the long-distance circuit: Anders Aukland, Jørgen Aukland, and their Pro Team Director, Nils Marius Otterstad. They were instantly receptive to the idea of welcoming me to stay with them in Rena.

When I arrived at Rena two days before the race, it was my second time on snow. I had only tasted the feeling of real cross-country skiing in Holmenkollen the day before. I was tremendously nervous, thinking about why I was doing that. I didn’t even have my skis or decent clothes to wear during the race.

But I felt more confident when I finally met Anders Aukland, Nils Marius Otterstad, and the rest of the team. Their generosity was extraordinary. As I arrived at their house in Rena, they offered me a pair of skis waxed by their team. They offered me the team’s clothes, racing suits, and elite-level poles. And last but not least, they had a place for me to stay, took care of my nutrition, and let me spend time with some of the world’s best skiers.

At that time, the team was formed by Anders Aukland, Jørgen Aukland, Andreas Nygaard, Justyna Kowalczyk, Kateřina Smutná, Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Øyvind Moen Fjeld and Snorri Einarsson. Even Iivo Niskanen was there. I felt amazed by being in the same living room and hearing tips from these top-level skiers.

This Is The Kind Of Man That Anders Aukland Is

Obviously, as a first-time on snow, Birkebeinerrennet 2016 was a challenging experience for me. But that’s another story. What matters is now that Anders Aukland has decided to end his career as a long-distance skier, cross-country skiing fans should know what kind of man he is.

Besides being one of the best skiers ever, he also takes time to help the unknown people who love the sport he helped to develop. And that is as important as winning races. Until today, he is an inspiration for me and many skiers who followed his career from Norway to more exotic places.

And until today, I have the pair of skis that belonged to him hanging on my terrace’s wall, under the orange trees. It is a very good memory of a good time, for which I am still thankful to Anders Aukland and Nils Marius Otterstad.

Also, Read – Anders Aukland: The Veteran Bib Winner Season XIV