“It’s not the same as when I raced myself, but I feel what the skiers feel and know how much work they have put in.”

Jørgen Aukland, one of the pioneers in long-distance skiing, knows what he’s talking about. He has revolutionized this sport and has never let go of it.

“No, I’ve been very involved all the time. I’m still involved, and much of my time is spent leading Team Ragde Charge. Otherwise, I work as a coach at Wang elite sports high school three days a week and at Wang’s middle school one day a week,” says 49-year-old Aukland, who is now back in his hometown of Tønsberg with his family.

7 times on the podium at Vasaloppet

Two wins at Vasaloppet and four in Marcialonga are the highlights of his career as a skier. These are the “holidays” that have always been “sacred” to the Aukland family. Older brother Anders became in 2004 the first Norwegian to win Vasaloppet since Ole Ellefsæter in 1971. Jørgen finished third.

“It was a tactical race,” remembers Jørgen from the race 20 years ago.

“Of course, the first win in 2008 stands out, but the greatest achievement was probably in 2013. Then we came to the finish together with Jörgen Brink and Daniel Tynell, who both had won three times and were known as strong finishers,” says Jørgen to Langd.se.

In total, Jørgen Aukland achieved 7 podium finishes between Sälen and Mora. Always at the forefront of development.

“2013 was the first season I raced all competitions without grip wax. It was also my best season, and I won, among others, Vasaloppet, Marcialonga, and Årefjällsloppet.”

“In the beginning, it was about waxing with minimal grip, but over time it became just double poling without grip wax. Today, I regret not taking the step earlier. It’s faster,” analyzes Jørgen, who believes that part of the excitement is being at the forefront of development.

“I also think that skating competitions could be included in Ski Classics; I’ve always liked skating. It would have been fun with races like the Engadin Ski Marathon, La Transjurasienne, and the American Birkebeiner.”

“Classic races are good, and double poling is here to stay,” says Jørgen Aukland.

Also Read: Team Ragde Charge cuts six of nine skiers

Vasaloppet is a “holiday”

Why did Vasaloppet become so important for the skiing family from Tønsberg?

“I grew up with Vasaloppet. We followed both SVT and NRK since I was little, and my father participated. It was fascinating, especially because well-known names were beaten by skiers we had never heard of before.”

The Aukland brothers picked up tactics from the Tour de France, where they also were glued to the TV screen. They were curious and wanted to try everything new.

“We cycled a lot already at that time. Got tips and trained with World Champion Thor Hushovd. We also liked paddling, so we increased the dose and trained with World Champion Einar Rasmussen and other top names in the sport. Today, I can say that 100 hours in a kayak is better for long-distance skiing than 100 hours on a bike.”

Never quarreled with Anders

Throughout his career, Jørgen Aukland has gone side by side with his brother Anders. They still do.

“We almost never quarrel. We can be very direct with each other, but we understand each other well.”

Today, they are also neighbors in Beitostølen, where Jørgen has been with his family for the past week. Now they are heading to Rhodes for a week of sun and warmth. Unusual for a man who has never let go of the elite sports environment and is used to training and being a coach every day.

“My children are already very active. My daughter is now moving up to the junior class, and she has inherited my interest in long-distance skiing. She has, among other things, won the Ungdomsvasan. The 14-year-old plays football, and the 10-year-old is active in all sorts of things.”

Keeps busy

The family is now back in Tønsberg after some time outside Oslo. Jørgen is also the sports director at the parent club Oseberg Skilag in addition to his jobs with both Team Ragde Charge and Wang Toppidrett.

Anders has turned 50 and is still in top form. Younger brother Fredrik is an expert commentator for NRK, principal at Wang Toppidrett, and a coach.

Indeed, the Aukland brothers keep busy!

Jørgen Aukland – Facts

• Born/Age: 06/08/75, 49 years old
• Resides: Husvik, Tønsberg
• Occupation: Coach at Wang Toppidrett/Director Team Ragde Charge
• Family: Married, 3 children aged 10, 14, and 16
• Clubs/Teams as an athlete: Oseberg Skilag, Team Xtra personell, Team Centric, Team Santander, and Team Ragde Eiendom
• Retired: 2016
• Best memory from the career: Winning the Vasaloppet in 2013. The feeling and adrenaline rush in the last kilometer have been hard to recreate. Sprinting past two feared finishers and three-time winners (Tynell and Brink) was something only I believed in.
• What I miss from my active career: The feeling of being in good shape, the man-to-man battle in the last kilometer, and being at camps and working hard as a team towards a common goal.
• How I follow the sport today: Coach at Wang Toppidrettsgymnasium, director, and owner of Team Ragde Charge, sports director at Oseberg Skilag.

Achievements

2003

• Wins Marcialonga
• Wins König Ludwig Lauf
• Wins Tartu Marathon

2006

• Wins Marcialonga

2008

• Wins Vasaloppet

2012

• Wins Marcialonga

2013

• Wins Marcialonga
• Wins Vasaloppet
• Wins Årefjällsloppet

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