It took ten years for Nygaard’s Marcialonga victory. So, when the win finally became a reality for Andreas Nygaard, the 90kg, 1,93m tall man could not hold back his tears.

Nygaard has 20 victories in Ski Classics and has won Birkebeinerrennet four times and Vasaloppet twice. He has raced Marcialonga ten times before, been in the top 10 in eight of them, and on the podium twice. The eleventh time, he wins after a powerful display on the final stretch. You can read the original article at Langrenn.com.

“It’s almost unbelievable that it’s true. I have tried so many times; I’ve been second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh… So to finally manage to win it… It’s a fantastic feeling. I am so grateful and proud,” says Andreas Nygaard from Team Ragde Charge after his victory while tears fall.

“When Marcialonga is the only victory you are missing, it’s my biggest goal, perhaps in addition to Vasaloppet. Now I can die in peace,” he jokes.

Read More: Nygaard and Fleten winners of Marcialonga 2025

A Stroke of Luck

Nygaard also reveals that he wasn’t originally the captain of Team Ragde Charge for this year’s race. That role was meant for Johan Hoel. However, as the race developed, Nygaard was in the best position toward the end of the race, and the bull from Burfjord IL didn’t waste the opportunity.

“This was my chance. It was an incredible day,” says the Ski Classics Legend.

What was always clear was that the team’s newcomer, Mathias Aas Rolid, was the support skier. His task was to tire out the field and ensure that the captain reached the decisive uphill with the most energy. And the 28-year-old did his job with flying colors. Nygaard is both grateful and impressed.

“Mathias is a beast,” he says.

That Rolid finished fourth is a little miracle.

The Collection Complete

With the Marcialonga victory, Nygaard has now won all four of the Grand Classics races (not in the same year), Ski Classics’ answer to the monuments in cycling: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet, with ten wins in total.

But even though he now says, “I can die in peace,” the 34-year-old has no plans to retire anytime soon.

“I’m not going to do a ‘Brothers Bø.’ I can’t retire at the top,” the Legend smiles on live TV, adding:

“Right now, I breathe and live for this.”

Facts: Andreas Nygaard

• Born: November 22, 1990
• From: Talvik, just outside Alta, Norway
• Lives: Oslo, Norway
• Occupation: Full-time long-distance skier, trained doctor
• Pro Team/Club: Team Ragde Charge/Burfjord IL
• First Ski Classics event: Birkebeinerrennet 2012

Statistics in Ski Classics

• Number of races: 115 (including 7 roller ski races)
• Number of victories: 20
• Number of podiums: 36 (12 second places and 4 third places)
• Grand Classic victories
  • 4 wins in Birkebeinerrennet (2018, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • 3 wins in Jizerska50 (2019, 2020, 2022)
  • 2 wins in Vasaloppet (2018, 2022)
  • 1 win in Marcialonga (2025)

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