Stian Berg won the green sprint bib for the first time during the 2019/2020 season, in his first season as a committed long-distance skier. 

He could not repeat the feat the following year, as a Covid infection during the winter of 2021 put the long-distance talent out of training for almost three months. As a result, Berg missed most of the racing season and all opportunities to defend the sprint bib. 

Last winter, Berg managed to take it back and got his revenge:

“It was nice to take back the sprint bib last winter, and I am very happy with the end of the season, especially since I had a difficult start to the season,” says Berg.

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New Chapter

Now Berg has had enough of sprint prizes. The 28-year-old feels done chasing the sprint bib. He took it once, lost it to Covid, and took it back on the first genuine attempt. Berg thus proved that it was neither beginner’s luck the first time nor coincidence to win it again. 

This year, Berg is ready to start the chase for the yellow Champion bib. However, the ambition for the yellow overall is not this year’s whim. 

After Berg had won the green bib for the first time, he set the goal of taking the yellow jersey by 2025. 

Despite two seasons marked by illness and injuries, including Covid that put Berg out of action for almost three months in the winter of 2020, he is still on track to fulfill his ambition of overall victory. 

“Overall victory is this year’s goal,” confirms Berg. 

Stian realizes that the yellow Champion bib is a tougher goal and a bigger project than the green sprint bib. The plan is, therefore, to use the coming season to consolidate and gain experience. But at the same time, he doesn’t write anything off. 

“It is perhaps a bit early to believe that I will win overall this winter. But if you first participate and fight for the podium regularly, then you sign up for the fight for the yellow bib,” says Berg.

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The Sprint Bib Is Still Up For Grabs

The fact that Berg’s goal is no longer the Sprint bib in no way means that Team Kaffebryggeriet is ready to pass on the green sprint jersey. Now the plan is for the team’s new, young, and promising Fredrik Helgestad to take over the sprint specialist job from Berg. 

“It’s just that we prioritize the skiers in the team a little differently now. Magnus Vesterheim, Vetle Thyli, and I are going for overall positions, and then we have a new man who takes care of the sprint points.”