Two stellar performances at the Lillehammer World Cup last weekend changed everything for Hans Christer Holund. The 32-year-old now has a green light from the national team coaches to go ahead with whatever plan he considers to be the best preparation for the Olympics in February. 

For Holund, that means no more races. 

“I’m not the kind of person who needs race myself into shape. I’m just as fine with time trials, and I don’t depend on racing to be at my best for the Olympics,” Holund says to NRK.

Holund embarks on his dream plan starting now. That mean’s he won’t be at the start for Tour de Ski, nor does he plan to race a single World Cup in January. During that time, Holund will be busy preparing for the Olympics in February. A huge part of that plan will take place at altitude, as the elevation of the Nordic venues at the 2022 Olympics is close to 1800 meters above sea level. 

The head coach for the Norwegian national team Eirik Myhr Nossum endorses the plan. Although the final team to the Olympics has not yet been announced, Nossum has seen what he needed from Holund. 

At the Lillehammer World Cup, Holund was on the podium twice. First, he placed second in the 15-kilomter skate race on Saturday, December 4. Then he helped Norway to thrid place in the relay on Sunday, December 5.