Season XIV sprint runner-up heads to Sweden to challenge for victory
Last season, Vebjørn Moen was second overall in the Ski Classics Sprint competition. In the upcoming winter, he wants to win the Green Bib, doing it in a Swedish Pro Team, with the central part of the training period taking place on Swedish soil.
During Season XIV, the Norwegian Pro Team athlete Vebjørn Moen completed his first season in Ski Classics racing for Team Aker Dæhlie. The 25-year-old from Bodø challenged Team Ramudden’s Alfred Buskqvist in the fight for the Green Sprint bib all the way into the final weekend, but in the end, it was a Swedish victory:
“I had the speed, but I lacked capacity. I was too weak on the “second sprint.” So, I was too poorly trained. I am working on it for the coming season,” says Moen to Langd.se.
What is the goal for the coming winter?
“It’s the Green bib. I think there will be very tough competition for it this winter. Alfred Buskqvist will be sharp; then it feels like Team Engcon’s Amund Hoel will be strong,” says Moen, who changed Pro Teams, now representing Team Eksjöhus:
“They (Team Eksjöhus) presented a good plan and a good offer. I am good friends with several skiers on the team, so I really wanted to work with Marthe (Kristoffersen, read more here) as a coach. Marthe has made a good plan, and the plan is to increase the training volume to be more ready for the winter. Because in some races, for example, Marcialonga, it’s over 40km to the second sprint, so it’s important to have the necessary capacity,” says Moen.
And most of the training will take place on Swedish soil as he lives with his girlfriend and Swedish A-National Team skier Johanna Hagström in Falun:
“I am very much looking forward to training in Falun. There are very good training conditions and much better weather than I am used to,” Moen laughs.
Read More: Sprint and Climb checkpoints for Ski Classics Season XV