The cross-country skier is praised by Therese Johaug, encouraged by World Champion Milla, is just as good on the tartan tracks as on snow, and manages much of her training schedule herself.

The 18-year-old from Norway is among the best in the world in two sports. In the summer, she focuses on running, mainly 800 and 1500 meters; in winter, it’s cross-country skiing. She intends to continue doing this for as long as she can. Meet Malin Hoelsveen.

So far, she mainly sees advantages in pursuing two sports simultaneously. 

“It’s gone well so far, at least. And I like the variety. It makes it easier to avoid injuries and overloads, and I think it’s good for my mental health. When I’m in running season, I don’t think much about skiing, and vice versa,” Hoelsveen tells Langrenn.com. 

At the top of the world in two sports

This winter, Hoelsveen was on the podium in almost everything she competed in, nationally and internationally. She took home gold and silver in the sprint and 5km at the Nordic Junior Nationals in Finland and gold in the sprint at the Junior National Championships. In addition, Hoelsveen delivered the 13th-best time in the prologue at the senior national championships in January, a race that also served as a selection for the World Championships in Planica. 

The results from the track races this summer are equally impressive: Hoelsveen brought home several medals from the European and Norwegian Championships in the U20 class in both the 800 and 1500 meters. She also took a solid third place in Germany in August, clocking 2:01.63 for 800 meters. This was a new personal best and age record in the U20 and U23 classes, and she was ranked 14th in the world in the U20 class this year.

“At some point, I’ll probably have to go ‘all in’ for one sport, but I’m not making any decisions yet. I’ll train well and do as many ski races as possible,” she says.  

When that choice may have to be made and what Hoelsveen will end up doing, she does not yet know. 

The article continues below.

Complement each other physically and mentally

Hoelsveen feels that the two sports complement each other and give her a competitive advantage physically and mentally. 

But now that she’s moving up to the oldest junior class, the distance races are getting longer, and she’s excited to see how that will play out. 

“The training I do for running works really well and is quite similar to what you do for sprinting and five kilometers in cross-country skiing. But now we’re going to go longer in the distance races. 10 kilometers and longer distances require a different type of training,” says Hoelsveen, and continues: 

“If I had only focused on skiing, I would have trained a little differently in the summer than I do now. I’d probably have trained more hours than I do now, more longer sessions and longer intervals on some of the interval sessions. 

What is the biggest challenge of doing both running and cross-country skiing? 

“The competitors often have a better base, as they don’t come straight from a competitive season. I notice it, especially at the end of the season. My results have dropped slightly compared to those I compete against because I don’t have the base they have.”  

The article continues below.

Manages much of the training herself 

And speaking about training, Hoelsveen essentially sets up her training program herself, and this has been the case for a long time. 

“It works really well. I’m the one who knows my body best. As long as I’m fully committed to two sports, I think it’s best to have the main responsibility myself. Then you can use the coaches around you more as partners,” she points out. 

But even though she manages most of her training herself, Hoelsveen has many people around her from whom she can seek advice. She has Atle Karlsen Mortvedt from Ull Kisa as her coach in athletics. In cross-country skiing, she is part of Team Gjøvik-Toten Langrenn, coached by Dorte Seierstad. 

“I have access to good coaches when I have questions. For example, Atle helps me to make a plan for important races in the summer season. When I eventually choose and switch to a sport, there will probably be closer cooperation,” Hoelsveen explains.

“Milla sets the bar for all of us.” 

Despite Hoelsveen focusing on two sports and entering the ski season with slightly fewer training hours, she has asserted herself nationally and internationally, including against Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen. 

For Hoelsveen, the superstar is a great inspiration. 

“She is the world’s best junior. When you compete against her, you know where the bar is set. If you’re close, you’re one of the best in the world. It’s inspiring and raises the level of all of us,” says Hoelsveen, who knows that the 18-year-old from Bækkelaget is not unbeatable. 

“I’ve beaten her in a few prologues. One was in the World Cup selection race in Lillehammer in January. I was faster then, but Milla had applied to be in the oldest class, so I didn’t get to race against her in the heats. Now we are both in that class anyway. 

What are your ambitions for the coming season? 

“Junior World Championships.”

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more.