“Competing in a World Championship on home turf is huge; it’s a ‘girlhood dream’ I’ve had since I was little. I must go for it,” says Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus Pro Team athlete, to Langd.se.

Magni Smedås set ambitious goals for the past season. This followed a winter (Season XIV) in which she had won both Marcialonga and Jizerská50 events and finished second overall after putting some pressure on Ida Dahl throughout the season’s final races. However, Season XV didn’t start well for Smedås, who had to skip Ski Classics competitions before Christmas due to a herniated disc in her lower back. Later in the winter, she also had respiratory issues.

Read More: Team Eksjöhus for Season XVI

But when she summed up the season, she could conclude with three significant wins in Ski Classics: Engadin La Diagonela, Birkebeinerrennet, and Summit 2 Senja.

Watch Here: Summit 2 Senja – Interview with Magni Smedås

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“The three victories mean a lot, but in different ways. La Diagonela showed that I had trained well or managed when injured, and it was a day when I felt already in the morning before the start that this would be a good day. Then Birkebeinerrennet was a day when everything clicked. Despite trailing Emilie (Fleten) by up to 40 seconds at most, I felt calm. And that’s a race with a lot of history. But if I were to highlight one race, it would probably be Summit 2 Senja. It was the toughest performance-wise that I did during the season,” says Smedås during Team Eksjöhus’ first training camp of the season in Eksjö.

Also Read: Magni Smedås becomes a Ski Classics Legend

What did you learn from last season?

“I think it was that I don’t need to be so extreme. I have to learn not to push as aggressively as I did; those who manage to balance training the best are often the most successful. Double poling is monotonous, so I need to continue with basic strength training to avoid a repeat. But at the same time, I’m very proud when I look back at last season and the results I achieved despite setbacks. I play with the idea of how well it could have gone without setbacks,” says Smedås, who also managed to finish second best Norwegian at the Norwegian championships in the 30km free technique, behind the returning Therese Johaug (second place went to American Sophie Laukli).

“It was very satisfying to prove that I can maintain a high level even in skating and long-distance races, not just double poling. So, I hope those responsible for selecting the World Cup and World Championship teams noted that” says Smedås with a laugh.

For the upcoming winter, Smedås’ goal is precisely the World Championships in Trondheim:

“Seriously, a World Championship on home turf is huge. It’s a ‘girlhood dream’ I’ve had since I was little. I must go for it,” says Smedås.

What does this mean for the season?

“I will participate in Team Eksjöhus’ training camp before the season. But then it will be more skating; I need to use my legs in a different way than I do when focusing on Ski Classics. Then, it’s about improving speed and muscle agility. I will continue working with Marthe (Kristoffersen, coach at Team Eksjöhus), and we’ve laid out a good plan,” says Smedås, continuing:

“Competitively, the plan is to go to Beitostølen (traditional Norwegian season opener), and I hope to perform well enough to secure a spot in the World Cup that way. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll participate in the Norwegian Cup and Scandinavian Cup to try to qualify for the World Cup. Then, after Christmas, I’ll assess my chances of making it to the World Championships, and if I’m far from that goal, I’ll focus fully on Ski Classics.”

What distances are you aiming for at the World Championships?

“Primarily, it’s the 50km skating. I really enjoy skating over long distances. But to be selected, you should be able to ski fast on several distances, so I think the skiathlon should suit me well; 10 10-kilometer classic, and I also like sprint in freestyle. You hear me, right?” says Smedås with a laugh.

How do you plan to balance Ski Classics?

“Well, I really enjoy competing in Ski Classics, and ideally, I would focus on both the World Championships and the World Cup, as well as Ski Classics, but I realize that’s not feasible. So, Plan A is focusing on traditional cross-country skiing until the World Championships, and then full focus on Ski Classics after that. Then we’ll see if Plan B or C becomes necessary,” concludes Smedås.

Read More – Magni Smedås: “Team Eksjöhus gives me the opportunity to go all in for the World Championships”