Karstein Johaug, Therese’s brother, has been an elite cross-country skier for almost a decade, with some good results from sprint to traditional distance and Visma Ski Classics events, having competed in races such as the Birkebeinerrennet from a young age. Like many Norwegian skiers, Karstein has always loved to spend most of his time skiing and enjoying the outdoors, so becoming a cross-country skier was a natural choice for him.

But despite being an experienced skier, Karstein was not expecting to perform so well in last season’s longest races. Karstein finished Vasaloppet in the 9^th position and Årefjallsloppet in the 6^th, results that gave him the motivation to try to fight for podium places at the most famous events of the circuit: Vasaloppet, Marcialonga and Birkebeinerrennet. 

“I didn’t expect to be on this level. I had a chat with Jørgen Aukland before Vasaloppet 2020 and found out that this type of cross-country skiing suited me well, but the results of these races were overwhelming. I was prepared and felt good during the race, but I had no expectations. So, having such a good performance was like a bonus. These two races became two of my best memories as an elite cross-country skier,” Karstein shares with Pro XC Skiing.

Despite being focused on Visma Ski Classics, Karstein still performs well on traditional cross country-ski

Since Karstein started training and racing as a long-distance skier with Team Ragde Charge, before Vasaloppet 2020, his results had been improving both in long-distance races and traditional skiing. Already this season, Karstein has finished in the 29^th position at Alliansloppet Elite, a roller-ski race, and had one of his best results ever in a 15 km race in Gålå, finishing in the 8^th position. But Karstein is not surprised that his results in traditional skiing are better now, even though he has been focusing on long-distance training.

“There is little difference between long-distance skiing and traditional cross-country skiing. But the team tactics in long-distance skiing make it more interesting. And the best thing is that in long-distance skiing you feel you are a part of a team. Training with Team Ragde Charge is really fun! We are doing many different training sessions during in the summe. After an intense training session, you feel exhausted, but in a different way as our muscles are completely fatigued. I love this kind of training”.

Karstein Johaug is ready for the start of the new season, and the great results that he has already achieved are making him confident that his grand goal of winning one of the prestigious races may be in the cards for him.