Olaf Tufte retired after 30 years at the top level after the Olympics in Tokyo last year and is a legend in rowing. Now he will be a long-distance skier for Team Kaffebryggeriet.

“I have many years left at the top, and I am young, after all. I have always found skiing and preferably long-distance skiing, very fascinating. And I’m very curious about what you’re up to,” says Olaf Tufte at a press conference held at the Pro Team’s main sponsor headquarters.

“I think it’s fun to get proper insight, and then I think it’s fun to help if I have something to bring to the group. This is about having fun skiing.”

The goal is to contribute to developing young Norwegian ski talents in Team Kaffebrygget.

“We are very curious about what we can learn from Tufte,” says Team Kaffebryggeriet’s manager, Vetle Tyhli, according to TV2.

The 46-year-old calls the signing a challenge and will not promise victory in Vasaloppet or that he will grab any bibs.

“For me, it is more interesting to train for something than to train to look good for the wife. She is happy with me anyway. It will be interesting.”

In 2007, Tufte was number 43 in Vassaloppet. He has participated in the race several times.

The Ski Classics Season XIV starts on December 10 with a Pro Team Tempo in Bad Gastein, Austria.

Team Kaffebrygget includes Pro Team Director Vetle Thyli, Stian Berg, Gustav Heldal, Magnus Vesterheim, Bård Eskil Bjørndalen, Edvard Lauritz Sæthern, Anna Haag, Nils-Ingar Aadne, Oda Nerdrum, Dorthe Seierstad and Fredrik Helgestad on the team.