When Kevin Brekken Ramsfjell started from Nordkapp on Saturday, July 16, the goal was to rollerski across Norway in 13 days, 200km a day. The current record from Nordkapp to Lindesnes on rollerskis is 21 days. 

The 22-year-old has cut down the already ambitious record attempt by another two days. This even though the conditions have been far from optimal so far. Nevertheless, he has managed to rollerski several kilometers further than planned every day until now. 

Therefore, he raises the level of ambition another notch: Now, 11 days apply, not 13.

“It’s going well and much better than expected. The last day will be extra-long, but it should go well if nothing unexpected comes up,” says Ramsfjell to Langrenn.com, and continues: 

“Nothing has happened yet, and the body is fine. I have no pain. I’m almost waiting for a real bang to come.” 

After the first eight days on rollerskis, Ramsfjell is a whole day ahead of the original schedule with 200 kilometers a day. This even though Ramsfjell has not had dream conditions so far in the record attempt. 

The entire first week was characterized by rain, headwinds, crosswinds, wet and, in some places, poor roads. However, now Ramsfjell is expecting better weather conditions. After he passed Dombås, the weather gradually improved. 

Challenges: Sleep and darkness

Ramsfjell has, however, encountered some challenges. First, it gets increasingly dark the further south he goes. The darkness makes it harder on the first part of the stage. 

“It is a bit difficult to start at 11 pm and go when it is dark. But I take caffeine and am aware that this is what I have to do now and that I will manage it. And it always gets better after a few hours,” he says. 

Why do you only sleep three to five hours a day?  

“I don’t have time for more. I start the stage at 11 pm and go on for 15-16 hours before the day finishes. Then I’ll eat a bit and prepare for the next stage, and then it’s a bit difficult to sleep,” says Ramsfjell to Langrenn.com, adding that he usually sleeps between seven and nine hours a night.

Smooth equipment and zero injuries

Well over halfway through the attempt, Ramsfjell is also impressed with how the equipment has worked on the record. 

“I couldn’t be happier with the equipment. I have used the same rollerskis, poles, and ski boots all the way. I have no blisters on my hands or chafes on my legs,” says Ramsfjell. 

This is the record attempt

To fulfill the goal of reaching the finish line in 13 days, the 22-year-old plans to rollerski daily stages of 200km without rest days. The plan is to rollerski about 10 hours per day, breaks not included. Then he must have an average speed of 20 km/h to keep track. 

Thirteen days and 200 km per day is an ambitious and tight schedule, and therefore Ramsfjell has chosen a route that follows the fastest, straightest roads from north to south. 

“I really only took the distance 2600 kilometers and divided it by 13 to get a round number to relate to. 200km is a round number, and 10 hours a day is a round number,” says Ramsfjell to Langrenn.com. 

The route is almost identical to the one that ultra-running legend Simen Holvik followed when he set a world record for running the stretch last summer. Holvik spent 26 days. 

FACTS: Rollerskiing Across Norway 2022

• Who: Kevin Brekken Ramsfjell (22)
• What: Set a new record for crossing Norway on rollerskis
• When: July 16-28, 2022
• Route: Nordkapp to Lindesnes 
• Distance: 2600 kilometers 
• Altitude gain: 30,000+ 
• Duration: 13 days 
• Current record for the stretch: 21 days, set in 2021 (Ståle Samuelsen, 63 years)
• How: 13 stages of 200km, daily sessions of 10 hours, average speed 20km/h