After a strong performance at La Venosta Skiroll, Patrick Fossum Kristoffersen, Team Robinson Trentino, is motivated to achieve better results in the Ski Classics Season XIV. ProXCskiing talked to the Norwegian athlete about the summer season and his expectations for the upcoming winter.

How was your summer season? Can you tell us your best and not-so-good moments?

“I’m overall quite happy about my summer season. I’ve done a lot of competitions: seventeen rollerskiing races, ten bike races, and three running races. Obviously, there have been both ups and downs. My worst moments were during Totenrullen and Blink Classics. During Totenrullen, my body didn’t work, and at Blink, I fell hard and bruised my ribs, which made training quite painful for several weeks. The best moments were definitely my World Cup win in Otepää and the Ski Classics Challengers win in La Venosta Skiroll.”

La Venosta Skiroll has been one of your best races ever. How do you feel about that? Can you describe how the race was?

“I went to the La Venosta race with a mindset that the course wasn’t for me because it finished 1000 meters higher than the start. When we entered the first long climb, I felt quite good. I got away from the pack with four other athletes before we reached the flat middle part. I went for it in the flat and quickly got a 30-second gap to the rest. I wasn’t very confident when I started the 10km long climb to the finish but I tried to keep an even pace and stay in control so that I could still do something if they caught me. Luckily the gap never went under 20 seconds, and it was a big relief to cross the line first. I am very happy about the race, and I hope it has given me some confidence for the winter season.”

How was your summer training? 

“Before Blink Classics, I did a lot of simple basic easy endurance training, either double poling or riding my mountain bike. No intervals, no speed work, and no lifting. Of course, inspired by Nils Van Der Poel. From Blink until now, there have just been too many races and little actual training. I could not do what I planned between the races, so next year I need to make some changes. Overall, I think training is going well compared to earlier seasons. I just came home after three weeks in altitude without any major issues. No longer breaks because of illness or injury also helps a lot. If I can follow my plan from now until the first race, I believe I can compete at a higher level than before.”

What are your expectations for next winter season?

“Last season, my best result was 29th at Vasaloppet. For this season, I hope to be more consistent in the top 30 and fight for the top 20, maybe top 10 in some races.”

How is it to be part of Team Robinson Trentino? 

“I really enjoy being part of Team Robinson Trentino. We’re like a family with members from many different countries. Since I am still quite new to long-distance skiing, it’s important to have a team that believes in me and wants to support me in the long term. Team Robinson Trentino does that, and they don’t put any pressure on my shoulders. As this is an Italian team, I believe our service team makes the best food when we’re traveling.”

Finally, being a Norwegian skier, you probably skied your whole life. What are your best memories related to skiing?

“It’s difficult to rank memories. However, I often think back to when I was younger and could be skiing with friends just for fun. We skied to and back from school and made jumps, and it was not thinking about training. I still do this sometimes, but rarely and not as often as I would like.”