In 2022, he had to put his cross-country skiing career on hold due to injuries. Now, just a few years later, he is heading for his first Olympic Games.

Winter is spent traveling, working hours are brutal, and there is hardly any social life. When friends are on their way home from a party, the 21-year-old from Alta, Norway, is leaving the waxing cabin, either after finishing a work shift or starting one, testing skis for the next race.

Simen Finjord has already worked as a ski technician at an elite level for more than five years, the last three full-time with Team Aker Dæhlie. There, he is responsible for the skis of several of the world’s top cross-country skiers, including Astrid Øyre Slind, Max Novak, and Andrew Musgrave.

And now Finjord is heading to the Olympics, where he will be responsible for the skis of athletes affiliated with the Norwegian private team, including skiers from China, Ireland, Andorra, and South Africa.

“You could say this is my childhood dream. I’ve been waxing skis and interested in ski preparation since I was seven years old. There aren’t many people my age who can say they have 14 years of work experience,” says Finjord, according to Langrenn.com.

“I couldn’t imagine anything better. Even though it’s extremely tough, this is what I love. Seeing that what I do produces results, that the skis I deliver help secure victories, that’s an incredible feeling that’s hard to put into words.”

Headhunted

Initially, the dream was to compete at the Olympics himself. But when back problems ended his career in 2022, Finjord continued in the waxing cabin, first as an assistant for the regional junior team, then full-time for the regional squad, Elon Nord-Norge. Word about the talented ski technician spread quickly.

Ahead of the 2023/2024 season, he was headhunted by Team Aker Dæhlie.

“I got a nice phone call from Joachim Aurland and Aslak Berglund at Skiplukker’n, asking if I’d like to contribute to Team Aker Dæhlie. Then it was an easy yes,” Finjord tells Langrenn.com.

The team is the largest Norwegian private initiative ever, with more athletes than the national team across long-distance skiing, traditional cross-country skiing, and para cross-country, along with an equally strong support staff.

Started at seven years old

“I’ve always been interested in skis and taking care of equipment. I went with my uncle, Trond Finjord, to the waxing factory for the first time when I was in second grade. And after that, it just kept growing,” he says.

His passion for waxing skis, both his own and others’, was there long before he had to end his own athletic career.

He celebrated his 18th birthday with a protective mask, something he had wished for on the big day.

“I realize that not all 18-year-olds wish for protective gear as a birthday present, but I was actually so happy about the mask that I shed a few tears when I got it,” says Finjord.

What’s the secret behind great skis?

“It’s largely about being systematic, having a plan for what you’re doing, and listening to the people around you, gathering knowledge that’s relevant for what you need to do here and now.”

Finjord emphasizes that what comes out of the waxing cabin is the result of extensive teamwork.

“At Team Aker Dæhlie, we have a strong team and an enormous base of expertise and experience to build on. With people who have been involved since before Team SkiGo, and Aslak Berglund, one of the world’s leading experts in understanding skis, we have what it takes to deliver competitive skis at the highest level,” he says.

Finjord also feels that the work is appreciated.

“From the outside, it might not look like it, but the athletes are good at showing that they value the job we do. They see that we get up early and go to bed late so they can have the best possible conditions,” Finjord tells Langrenn.com, and continues.

“You work around the clock. And we have some intense days now and then. But I’m still young enough to think it’s pretty cool to be up before my friends who’ve been out partying have gone to bed. There’s something special about that.”

Combining work with law studies

Alongside his work as a ski technician, Simen Finjord studies law at the University of Tromsø. Despite extensive travel and long days, he doesn’t find it difficult to combine his studies with the waxing job.

“There are no mandatory lectures, so I can structure my studies in a way that suits me best. During summer and autumn, I put in a bit of extra effort,” he says, adding:

“I’m thriving. Knowing that I get to spend the winter doing what I love most gives me extra motivation.”

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