His sixth-place finish in the sprint final during the World Cup premiere in Ruka on Friday was a significant leap from his previous best in the World Cup.

The 22-year-old from Njaard, Norway, started the day with the seventh-best prologue time, continued with a dominant victory in the quarterfinal, and a solid semifinal. Suddenly, he found himself on the line in a World Cup final with Erik Valnes, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Richard Jouve, Federico Pellegrino, and U23 World Champion Ansgar Evensen.

Langrenn.com had a chat with Matz William Jenssen after the impressive World Cup premiere in Ruka.

What were your expectations when you entered the sprint last Friday?

“I thought reaching the final could be possible. In the World Cup sprints I’ve participated in before, I’ve been eliminated in the prologue, quarterfinal, and semifinal, so it was time to reach the final now.”

Read More: Erik Valnes wins the World Cup sprint in Ruka

In the quarterfinal, you won with what looked like a significant gap to the rest of the field. What happened there?

“Well, I just got good speed into the hill, and then the adrenaline kicked in. I realized I had a small gap, but I never dared to look back. So, I had no idea if it was three or thirty meters to those behind.”

What will you take away from the sprint?

“Confidence! I believe in what I’m doing, and I have ambitions to qualify for the test World Championships in Trondheim in December.”

Also Read: Norwegian Talent: Ace up the sleeve for Iversen

FACTS Ruka World Cup Season 2023/2024

• When: Friday, November 24 to Sunday, November 26 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Ruka, Finland
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland

PROGRAM

Friday, November 24: Sprint C (More details can be found here)

• 10:00 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women 
• 10:35 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Final C, Men
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Final C, Women 

Saturday, November 25: 10km Individual C (More details can be found here)

• 10:00 CET: 10km Individual C, Women
• 12:15 CET: 10km Individual C, Men

Sunday, November 26: 20km Mass Start F (More details can be found here)

• 10:00 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Women
• 12:35 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Men

Read More: World Cup calendar for the 2023/2024 Winter Season