Emil Iversen is going all-in for one last Olympic attempt: copying Klæbo’s extreme regime – with help from a billionaire.

After the Norwegian Championships at Gåsbu, Emil Iversen decided to dedicate one more year to skiing. He has now laid out a simple plan to win a medal at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, with the 50km race in Val di Fiemme as his main goal.

“I’m going to live a more miserable life,” he says.

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A More Miserable Life

Now it’s full-on asceticism in Klæbo style for the 33-year-old who is training privately: healthier food, more sleep, and less time with his fiancée, Bettina Burud.

“I expect to be totally sick of skiing after the winter. It will be a more ascetic life than ever before,” he told Adresseavisen, and added:

“Ideally, I win a race at Beitostølen, make the podium in Ruka, and secure an Olympic spot.”

Altitude Training in Italy

Iversen continues to work with former national team coach Trond Nystad.

He also plans to team up with Klæbo for altitude training, something he hasn’t done since Martin Johnsrud Sundby was on the national team with him.

“Johannes will have two altitude camps, so I need three. I have to do even better,” says Iversen.

And this commitment will be costly – the altitude training alone is expected to cost up to half a million NOK (about 43.000 EUR in today’s exchange rate).

Supported by a Billionaire

Iversen’s support team includes billionaire Christen Sveaas through the investment company Kistefos. According to Kapital, Sveaas was Norway’s 22nd richest person in 2024 with a private fortune of NOK 15 billion (approximately 1.3 billion euros in today’s exchange rate).

Iversen’s other backers from the past two seasons outside the national team are also continuing their support. Back then, Iversen said this to Langrenn.com about going private:

“I’ve never had so many opportunities as I’ve had after being dropped from the national team.”

Read More: Emil Iversen joins Team Northcom

Made the Decision in January

Iversen made the final decision to continue in January, after being disqualified from fifth place in the 10km race at the Norwegian Championships in Gåsbu. Since then, he has kept his plans under wraps.

“It was ridiculous for me to end my skiing career like that. I was disqualified fortwo incorrect pole plants and got bad waxing in an important race I could have won,” Iversen told Adresseavisen.

Disappointments, but not Hopeless

Last winter’s season lacked big triumphs for Emil Iversen, and his dream of a home World Championships fell apart. But the 33-year-old still had several solid results.

He placed fifth in the 10km classic at the season opener in Beitostølen in November and earned a World Cup spot until Christmas after winning the Scandinavian Cup last year. There, he finished seventh in the 20km classic in Davos and 13th in the 20km freestyle in Ruka.

During the Norwegian Championships Part 1 at Gåsbu, Iversen initially placed fifth in the 10km classic but was later disqualified for a technique rule violation. He also placed 18th in the skiathlon after a very strong first half and was reportedly not far from consideration for a spot on Norway’s World Championship team in Trondheim.

Shortly after being cut from the Worlds, Iversen debuted in Ski Classics with a 39th place in Marcialonga.

Also Read – Left out of the World Championships: Now Iversen will compete in long-distance racing

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