The traditional cross-country skier crossed the finish line in 6th place at the 50km Norwegian Championships in Hovden. But this was the final finish at this level for the 27-year-old from Trøndelag. He is now retiring, and the ski club is losing yet another top athlete.

Vegard Sivertsgård has been a solid skier for many years. Just not quite good enough to make the World Cup team, but still more than good enough—if he hadn’t been Norwegian.

According to Langrenn.com, the Tydal IL skier was once part of a strong relay team with Niklas Dyrhaug, among others. But now, he has decided to end his elite career.

“I never became a world champion, but I can pat myself on the back and be proud that I gave it a real shot. Life as a skier at the national level is by no means luxurious, and I noticed this spring that the motivation just wasn’t the same anymore,” Vegard wrote on his social media channel.

He thanks both Ålen and Tydal IL for allowing him to chase his dream over the years. Now, the final sprint of his bachelor’s degree as a civil engineering student awaits, before Vegard, as he puts it, can step into “adult life.”

The talented skier has several top 10 finishes at the Norwegian Championships, and this year’s 50km was a worthy ending with a 6th place. He was only beaten by Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Iver Tildheim Andersen, Simen Hegstad Krüger, and the Kjelsås duo Edvard Sandvik and Håvard Moseby. This shows the level Vegard Sivertsgård has maintained.

Sivertsgård has also been a regular in the Scandinavian Cup. In November 2017, he won the junior class at the traditional Swedish season opener in Bruksvallarna.

Full results from Vegard Sivertsgård’s FIS career can be found HERE.

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