Isac feels that he still has much to develop, and as long as he keeps enjoying it, his motivation to push forward remains strong. Maastohiihto.com interviewed the skier who turns 29 in May.

For three consecutive years, Isac Holmström has been the top Finnish male skier in the legendary Vasaloppet ski race. This year, he achieved 40th place in the 90-kilometer race from Sälen to Mora. The athlete from Åland represents Team Edux, and besides Vasaloppet, he has started in eight other Ski Classics Pro Tour events this season. His rankings have varied around the fifty position. This is the interview he has given to Maastohiihto.com.

How did you become a skier, and why focus on long distances?

“As a child, I engaged in various sports like football, running, tennis, and whenever there was snow, skiing. Åland often had little snow, so there wasn’t much skiing. However, I always watched Vasaloppet on TV, and Vasaloppet culture, like in Sweden, is also significant in Åland. As a child, I thought it would be cool to ski that race,” says Isac and adds:

“When I started studying at Aalto University, football training decreased, and I started skiing more. I participated in Finlandia-hiihto and finished 10th. It really started when I noticed how much I could improve in just one winter. Year after year, I started investing more and more in long-distance skiing.”

How would you describe yourself as a skier, what are your strengths, and what qualities do you still need to develop?

“I’m very enduring and determined as a skier. Long distances suit me, like Vasaloppet or the former Årefjällsloppet. When others get tired, I keep grinding at the same pace; the psychological aspect is also important. When you see others getting tired, it gives you extra strength. Flat sections (like the swamps in Vasaloppet) and generally high-paced sections suit me well. I’m a relatively big skier and can generate power well on those stretches. For the same reason, uphill sections have always been my weakness, especially the steep and long ones. That’s what I should improve to take the next step forward.”

You lived in Åland for a long time – how did it suit skiing training?

“I indeed lived in Åland for a long time (currently living and working at an engineering firm in Vaasa) and lived there for a while after my engineering studies. In the summer, it’s an excellent place to be. I could argue that Åland has the best conditions for roller skiing in Finland. The asphalt is of very good quality, there are many roads, and little traffic. Additionally, there’s plenty of terrain, and you can accumulate a lot of elevation gain. There are also many running trails. On the other hand, the warm winters are challenging, and race trips are longer because you always have to travel by ferry. However, the skiing community there is really enthusiastic, and as soon as the weather permits, they start making snow. In recent years, it has been possible to prepare well for Vasaloppet there.”

What is your team, Team Edux, like, and how do you train together?

“Team Edux is a very close-knit group where everyone cares for each other. The team size isn’t large, but the spirit is. We’ve always invested in support, and I think we succeeded very well. It’s nice to ski when the skis glide well. During the summer, autumn, and early season, we’ve had several training camps and participated in roller skiing races. Also, during winter, we compete together in national races. This is very important because we want to create a good team spirit. Training camps and races also improve fitness and bring more motivation.”

How would you analyze this winter and your Ski Classics season?

“We’ve noticed that the level rises every year in Ski Classics. Sometimes, it feels like you’re stuck at the same positions on the result list, even though your fitness constantly improves. However, domestic long-distance races reveal that progress has been made. This season, I’ve won races like Fäbodaloppet, Botniavasan, and Jyväskylä Ski Marathon, each in a different way. In those races, you can see that progress has been made and that there’s a difference in level compared to Ski Classics. The Ski Classics series has small margins, and significant success is possible on a day when everything aligns. Continuous hard work is the key.”

Once again, you were the best Finnish skier (on the men’s side) at Vasaloppet. Why does Vasaloppet suit you so well?

“I mainly train for Vasaloppet. My attributes as a skier are beneficial for Vasaloppet, and during the summer, when I do tough training, I have the race in mind. With the team, we’ve also found a good template for how support and hydration work and how to travel there. We don’t leave anything to chance. Everything is calculated and done perfectly. Vasaloppet is like the World Championships and Olympics of long-distance skiing on the same day, and no one skips that race. That’s also what makes Vasaloppet so unique.”

How do you see the situation of long-distance skiing in Finland, and how could it be further developed? (Kati Roivas is currently performing very well)

“Long-distance skiing is also developing in Finland, although progress has been slow. We’re lagging behind countries like Sweden and Norway. From a Finnish expert, I even got a question about whether I intended to ski with grip wax when we talked about long-distance skiing. This reflects how little Finns know and understand about long-distance skiing. It’s difficult to appreciate long-distance skiing without a basic understanding, even among experts. Kati has skied brilliantly and brought more visibility to the sport. I think she deserves even more visibility than she has received so far. Her achievements are crucial if we want to advance long-distance skiing in Finland.”

How do you train? Do you have a training philosophy or a routine, or do you create a new program every year?

“My motto is somewhat that if you work hard enough for long enough, it will eventually pay off. I really enjoy training, and I also believe that a long-distance skier needs to train a lot. Additionally, the season is long, and if you want to stay fit and endure skiing throughout the season, it requires a solid foundation. I’ve found a good system, and I know how to get in shape for Vasaloppet. I won’t change that much. The most important thing is to stay healthy and be able to train continuously without unnecessary breaks.”

What is your favorite type of training, and what is perhaps the least favorite?

“I prefer long, easy ones where I can stop for coffee and some pastries. Basic training days may be the most boring, but they are also important and must be done. It’s important to get the basics right before moving on to more intense training.”

Ski Classics is now in its 15th season – how do you see the series’ development, and how do you think it should progress?

“We’ve seen various types of races over the years. Skate races, short and long distances, uphill races, etc. I think Ski Classics is trying to find the best system. Diversity is important, but having a clear direction would also be good. It would be important to know if the Pro Tour is specifically a long-distance skiing series or something else. That would help athletes know what to train for. Are those 30-kilometer races, of which there are quite a few now, or long distances, which require different training? There’s a really big difference. Personally, I would like to see more long races!”

What are your long-term goals in skiing?

“As long as I keep improving and having fun, I’ll continue skiing. It feels like I’m behind in every aspect because I started skiing so late. There are still so many things I could do better. The goal is to get close to the top, especially in Vasaloppet.”

What are your goals in life regarding your profession and post-skiing career?

“Life is about the little things. I’ll be satisfied if I find a working everyday life that is joyful and fun.”

Who was or is your greatest idol?

“There hasn’t maybe ever been a specific person who was my idol. In skiing, you could say Anders Aukland or Andreas Nygaard!”