By Johan Trygg When we talked with Andreas Nygaard in early November, he was clear that the big goal for season XI was to be the first in the men’s class to win the Champion competition three years in a row. Now with two weeks left until Season XI starts, he is a little more…

By Johan Trygg

When we talked with Andreas Nygaard in early November, he was clear that the big goal for season XI was to be the first in the men’s class to win the Champion competition three years in a row.
Now with two weeks left until Season XI starts, he is a little more doubtful.

“It feels pretty okay, but I’m not better than in previous years. I see that on the SkiErg and treadmill. I probably need to get a little stronger, he says.
As Andreas told us when we spoke to him in November, his medical studies have made it difficult for him to get long training sessions into his training schedule.
“I think it was a month when I did not train for more than two hours at any time. Of course, the long training sessions are missing. Well, I plan to be out on a long one tomorrow anyway,” Andreas says when we talk to him the day before New Year’s Eve, and he just came home from a dinner with a lot of Christmas food and cakes on the table.
“I probably need some competitions to really get started. Hopefully, the form will be better when it’s time for Marcialonga at the end of January,” he continues.

Andreas has won the Champion competition two years in a row. Something that Anders Aukland (season II and III), Petter Eliassen (season V and VI) and Tord Asle Gjerdalen (season VII and VIII) also managed.
However, no one has managed it three years in a row, and Andreas has previously said it has been a big goal for Season XI. Now, however, he doubts about it.
“I would say that Petter (Eliassen) and some others are bigger favorites than me. I need to take some steps, but the season is long, and it’s important to be in shape at Vasaloppet and the events after that. I have some time to work on it until then. I know what I need to do and now I have a better possibility to realize it when I have a break from my studies.”

Even if he finds his best shape, he expects that Season XI will be more challenging than any season before.
“I think there will be more Swedish and Russian athletes who are strong this winter, for example. I don’t believe the top level is greater, but more athletes will keep up longer in the races, the reigning champion concludes.