During Ski Classics Season XIV, Kati Roivas achieved several top 6 places and a top 4 at Engadin La Diagonela. For the upcoming season, the Finnish Pro Team athlete joined Team Eksjöhus and shared her impressions on the first training camp with the squad, new coach, plans, and goals for the winter. 

Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, had by far the best season of her career during Season XIV. The seventh place overall at the Ski Classics Champion competition last winter just finished her first training camp with the new team and shared, exclusively for ProXCskiing.com, her thoughts about the squad, training, the inspiration from the new coach, and plans and goals for the upcoming winter season.

Recently, Roivas completed her first training camp with Team Eksjöhus. The camp, which took place over eight days in the town of Eksjö, involved intensive volume training, team bonding, interactions with sponsors, and a variety of challenging sessions:

“We had great eight days and about 36 hours of training in Eksjö (Sweden) in mid-June with the team with volume training, getting to know new teammates and staff, and meeting some of the sponsors. We did several longer sessions on roller skis, including a ‘Vasapass’ and some running and mountain biking,” says Kati Roivas to ProXCskiing.com.

Reflecting on the integration process with her new teammates and coaching staff at Team Eksjöhus, Kati expresses her genuine happiness:

“I am very happy. I felt welcome to the team right away, and being around so many driven athletes has been motivating. It allows me to learn from more experienced athletes than myself in and outside of training. Not to forget the people around the team who ensure we have the best possible chances to succeed and sponsors we also got to meet in Eksjö.” 

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One notable addition to Team Eksjöhus is their new coach, Marthe Kristoffersen, whose remarkable career and achievements serve as an immense source of inspiration for Kati. Marthe’s presence has had a significant impact, providing Kati with guidance from someone who fully comprehends the requirements and demands of performing at the highest level.

“She (Marthe) is very inspiring as a person and coach. It is great to work with someone who has been successful at the top level and who fully understands the requirements at the highest level and what it takes to get there.” 

Roivas will have Marthe as her full-time coach and shared how they will work together:

“We communicate weekly and build the plan together. She is helping me with the big picture in planning the training, especially intensities, and having her present as a person during camps is a great opportunity to work on the small details and technique.” 

Read More: Kristoffersen new Sports Director for Team Eksjöhus

Despite transitioning to a new Pro Team, Kati maintains her core training program while incorporating specific intensities throughout the season.

“There will be no big changes to last year in terms of volume, but I have a few specific intensities that I do now throughout the training season, and the balance between hard training and recovery is maybe even more refined than before.” 

When asked about her training program for July, Kati revealed that she is currently training in France, focusing on a higher volume period, and in August, she will head to Scandinavia for some roller ski competitions.

“I am training at home in France in July with a higher volume period with few key intensities before traveling to Scandinavia for roller ski competitions in August. Then, I will meet the team at Blink Festival at the beginning of August, and we will have a little training camp in between the races,” and adds about the current racing schedule: 

“Right now, the plan is to compete at Blink Festival, do the 50km at Hitra during Toppidrettsveka, and then two races in Tröllhattan Action Week.” 

Looking ahead, Roivas sets ambitious goals for the upcoming winter season. Building upon her outstanding performance last year, she aims to enhance her consistency and achieve top 5 results. 

“I want to become even more consistent than last season and reach some top 5 results. Of course, as my highest placement was 4th from La Diagonela the past season, I want to fight for a podium placement if everything goes well. I still have a lot of work to do with my technique and capacity, so there is room for improvement.” 

As a fresh addition to Team Eksjöhus, Kati believes her role will evolve naturally as the season progresses.

“Being so new to the team, I think we will see how my role will be as we go into the season, but assisting the team, especially to be able to help Magni and the other girls in the team in races, will be a priority,” concludes Kati Roivas. 

Also Read: “A rough diamond that can take big steps”

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

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