“It has always been a dream to ski with Petter (Northug), and I feel that I have not reached my full potential in long-distance skiing yet,” says the 30-year-old and new athlete for Team Janteloppet, who has ten years of experience in long-distance skiing. 

“He (Northug) is someone I admire, a good friend and a training partner. He has said for a long time that he had plans to invest in his team and that he wanted me there. Now I am in, and it’s serious,” says Joar Thele to Langrenn.com, and adds:

“It was nice when he returned last year, and now he has been training well. You can also see that in the results so far this summer. I am looking forward to going to the season with Petter and being with him and learning from him.”

Joar Thele is the first male skier formally signed for Petter Northug’s new Pro Team (Team Janteloppet). Thele joins Team Janteloppet with ten years of long-distance skiing experience, the last four in the brothers Aukland’s Team Ragde Charge. 

Langrenn.com talked with the Pro Team athlete, who competed in kayaking for the Norwegian National Team with gold medals from the Junior World Championships and European Championships. 

“I guess I had a slightly unconventional start to long-distance skiing. I was into kayaking and moved to Oslo to work with the national kayaking team after high school. It was at that time when the Aukland brothers were curious about paddling and whether it was something that could be useful to double poling and long-distance skiing. So, they got in touch with my coach, Eirik Verås Larsen, and thus with me,” says Thele, adding that he was 21 the first time he stepped on roller skis. 

One thing led to another. In the winter of 2013, Thele did some long-distance skiing with the Aukland’s team, then called Team Xtra Personell, and at Vasaloppet made the top 50 in his debut. 

For the next couple of years, Thele focused on skiing and kayaking but felt that he was increasingly hooked on skiing. He kept in touch with the Aukland brothers, and for the past four seasons, Thele has thus been part of Team Ragde Charge until the end of Ski Classics Season XIV.

Read More: Joar Thele leaving Team Ragde Charge

“Several teams showed interest, but I felt it could be good with new motivation. I feel that I have not reached my full potential in long-distance skiing yet,” says Thele. 

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What role do you intend to play in Team Janteloppet?  

“We basically have free roles in all races, but we will discuss strategy and tactics. If, for example, it is expected to be a mass sprint, Petter is the strongest in the team for that, and then I will, of course, sacrifice myself for him. If it’s an uphill race or a race with a lot of hills, he can help me. But we will take this race by race and along the way. It’s easy like that with a small team.” 

What does the season run-up look like?  

“We are planning a couple of gatherings in the South in the autumn to train. And then, we want to travel to Torsby to be on snow and test equipment. Otherwise, there will be training together when we are in Oslo.” 

What about altitude training?  

“No systematic altitude training is planned for the season this year. But there will be some altitude in the season’s first races, Bad Gastein (in Austria) and La Venosta (in Italy) before Christmas. Petter will probably celebrate Christmas in Central Europe, and I will come down to the altitude after the New Year.” 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV – Complete Calendar

How much do you train together?  

“We try to get some training together. We are nailing down a plan now, but typically, there will be between one and four training sessions a week together when we are both in Oslo.” 

What goals do you have for the season and in the long term?  

“I have had some injuries and illness this summer, but now I hope to train well in autumn and be in good shape for the winter. I hope to do well in all races, but it is clear that the greatest prestige is around the ‘monuments,’ i.e., Marcialonga, Birken, and above all, Vasaloppet. Standing on the podium there is a big goal,” says Thele, and adds: 

“To win Vasaloppet, you must be a complete long-distance skier. You must have the right qualities: good capacity, strong in double poling, and at the same time, have a good sprint after 90 kilometers. But you also must be good at the details and getting enough nutrition along the way to have enough energy for the last kilometers.”  

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Team Janteloppet takes shape: Can get Klæbo as a teammate

Thele’s contract with Team Janteloppet is initially for one year, with the possibility of an extension. Petter Northug is now working on the remaining skiers for the coming season. 

Just before Alliansloppet in Sweden last weekend in August, the Italian talent Alessia De Zolt signed a contract with Team Janteloppet. 

In addition to the 23-year-old from Italy, Northug will sign with at least one more female athlete. He is also looking for more male long-distance skiers. 

In that context, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has been mentioned several times, and the 26-year-old revealed his alternative plan. 

Read more: Klæbo reveals alternative plan