Oskar Opstad Vike, Team Ragde Charge, surprised the competitors and commentators when he won the 50-kilometer Kanalrennet in Norway last Saturday evening. 

The junior sensation was over half a minute ahead of triple World champion Simen Hegstad Krüger, reigning overall winner of the roller ski world cup Amund Korsæth and almost five minutes faster than Petter Northug.

“I joined the toughest team at a young age,” says the Team Ragde Charge athlete to Langrenn.com about the secret behind the win. 

Also read: New talent for Team Ragde Charge 

After Vike joined Team Ragde Charge last year, he has been regularly compared with the world’s best long-distance skiers, including Andreas Nygaard, Kasper Stadaas, Karstein Johaug, and Johan Hoel. The junior talent has grabbed that opportunity with both hands and is now starting to see the results of his baptism of fire. 

“At the first gathering with the team this year, I got along well in all the sessions compared to last year. The skiers in that group are so strong that I know that if I hang with them, I have a chance against most of them,” says the 19-year-old to Langrenn.com, and continues: 

“At the Kanalrennet, the plan was to be together until the last hill. When I was there, I realized that I had an opportunity. I know I have good speed, and I was confident I could win a sprint finish. 

Read More: Øyre Slind and Opstad Vike winners at Kanalrennet 2023

You beat World Cup skiers such as Simen Hegstad Krüger, Martin Nyenget, the overall Roller Ski World Cup 2022 winner, and all the long-distance skiers. What does this victory mean to you?  

“At least it shows that I have done something right, and it is very nice to see that I can assert myself against those I will compete against when I become a senior already.” 

How do you explain the good form?  

“I don’t have a good explanation other than that I have had good continuity in what I do for quite some time now.”

Vike also gives the team a lot of credit.  

“I feel fortunate to have joined the toughest team at a young age. They are the best in their class at long-distance skiing, and most of them have performed internationally in traditional cross-country skiing as well, so I learn an incredible amount from them. They have an extremely high level and then raise my level too.” 

Focus on both long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing

Vike feels that there is increasingly less distinction between long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing and that the difference between the two is becoming less and less relevant.

“Among the younger people, I feel that there is not a strong distinction between long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing, and long-distance skiing is really on the rise,” he says, highlighting several reasons. 

“Long-distance skiing has the dimension of team tactics, which creates a completely different tension in the competitions. And then long-distance skiing is excellent training, where you have to have speed and sprinting skills to keep up with the sprints; you get to ski in large groups, and since the races are so long, you harden up your muscles. It’s useful no matter what you’re going to do,” says Vike.  

From his side, he will focus on both. Next winter, the Junior World Championships in January/February is the main goal for Vike. When it’s over, he plans to do some long-distance skiing. 

“I have found a good mix between traditional and long-distance skiing. I’m focusing on the Junior World Championships first this year, but when it’s over, I’m open to doing all the long-distance skiing for the rest of the season.”