The 27-year-old Australian based in Lillehammer has gained a considerable advantage in his preparation for the 2026 Olympics: a guaranteed World Cup start spot throughout the crucial qualification period.

Last winter, he placed 52nd in the 10km and 50th in the 50km at the World Championships in Trondheim. And now Seve de Campo is also a big step closer to his Olympic dream for 2026.

On Saturday, the 27-year-old Lillehammer-based skier took gold in the 15km freestyle, the final race of the Australian cross-country championships. He beat the next skier by half a minute. With that, he also secured a free place in the 2025/2026 World Cup, according to Langrenn.com.

As the winner of the 2025 Australia–New Zealand Cup, de Campo earns a World Cup spot, just like the overall winners of the Scandinavian Cup and the other continental cups. If he makes it to the 2026 Olympics, it will be his second Games.

Part of the KoT movement

De Campo was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, but moved to Norway to pursue cross-country skiing. He now lives in Lillehammer – together with Gabriel Gledhill.

The British skier became a talking point after shushing the crowd in front of the TV cameras in Granåsen during the World Championships test event in Trondheim. Gledhill finished 59th, two and a half minutes behind Klæbo, and people started calling him the “King of Trondheim.”

He has made full use of that nickname. Together with de Campo, he started the brand “KoT.” They now have nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, sell T-shirts online, and even have Andrew Musgrave as an ambassador.

Even though they are among the best in their home countries, they cannot make a living from the sport.

U23 star takes women’s spot

On the women’s side, Rosie Fordham has secured the World Cup place. The 23-year-old, who won silver in the 10 km at the U23 World Championships this winter, has won every single race in the 2025 Australia–New Zealand Cup.

Fordham studies in the USA, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she is also part of the school’s ski team.

Also Read: From U23 silver to Trondheim World Championships history

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