Emil Iversen is at an altitude training camp in the USA for the first time, together with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. The focus is training, the Olympics, and PlayStation.

In recent years, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has traveled alone to altitude training camps in the USA, accompanied only by his father, Haakon. This year, things are different. When father and son Klæbo flew to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday, Emil Iversen was also part of the group.

Iversen has high expectations for both the US altitude camp and for the altitude training he is doing this season. Not only is it his first time traveling to altitude with Klæbo – it’s also the 34-year-old’s first time in the United States.

“This trip will be the highlight of the year. I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I went home from Nationals in shame. Johannes and I have been packing for 14 days now and synchronized shoes, bikes, glasses, PlayStation, and books. I must say, I’m really excited. We’re ready for the USA now,” Iversen told Trønder-Avisa.

And the World Champion is looking forward to having Iversen along:

“I’m excited. It will be nice to have Emil with me. Perfect to have some company,” said Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.

Ready to soak up everything

It’s the first time in many years that Iversen is committing to systematic altitude training in his season prep. The last time was back when Martin Johnsrud Sundby was on the national team. It’s also the first time Iversen will do a four-week camp.

They will stay in Park City, just outside Salt Lake City, at an elevation of 2,100 meters above sea level. For the first two weeks, Klæbo’s father, Haakon, will be with them in the role of cook and organizer. For the last two weeks, from September 12 to 25, Iversen’s brother and coach, Mats, will take over. Klæbo’s grandfather and coach, Kåre Høsflot, is responsible for the training program.

According to Langrenn.com, Iversen is clear that he is there as Klæbo’s training partner, ready to absorb everything he can from the world’s best skier.

Going all in for the Olympics

In consultation with his fiancée, Bettina Burud, Iversen decided to give the 2026 Olympics a shot. The veteran is aiming for a comeback to remember.

At the same time, he realized he needed to make significant changes to his training and has radically restructured his program for what will be the very last dance of his career.

“My body and health are better than they’ve been in a long time. I had some very good races last season. I was in the World Championship discussion. It’s possible to qualify for the Olympics. But I have to improve,” Iversen said when he announced his continued career in June.

Read More: Iversen bets everything on one last Olympic run

Training overhaul

Iversen continues with former national team coach Trond Nystad, but has radically changed his training plan this season. The new plan includes a complete altitude program for the first time in five or six years.

That means three solid altitude camps: one self-organized in the summer, and two in the fall, together with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.

“Johannes is doing two altitude camps, so I need three. I have to do even better,” Iversen said when he presented his Olympic plan in June.

The self-organized camp was completed earlier this summer, and Iversen felt his body responded well. He confirmed this at Toppidrettsveka last weekend, where he showed glimpses of abilities the world hasn’t seen in a while. Among other things, he won three out of four sprint prizes in the 53km race on Hitra on Friday evening.

Also Read: Kvam Grindhagen wins long-distance race at Toppidrettsveka 2025

Now, Iversen is underway with the first of his two altitude camps with Klæbo.

The second will take place in Italy later in the fall. When they return, there will be only a couple of weeks left before the season kicks off with the Norwegian national opener at Beitostølen, from November 21 to 23. The following week is the World Cup opener in Ruka.

Iversen has a clear plan to ski his way into the Olympic squad:

“The optimal scenario is that I win a race at Beitostølen, take a podium in Ruka, and secure my Olympic place.”

The 2026 Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22 in Milano-Cortina, Italy, with Norway allowed to bring a total of eight male cross-country skiers.

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