After a disappointing debut on the Norwegian elite national team last winter, Marte Skaanes concluded the previous season with a gold medal at the Norwegian Championships in Tolga in late March. This victory renewed the national team leadership’s trust and provided a solid motivation for her self-confidence.

She aims to build on this success this year, and now, the 27-year-old is brimming with motivation ahead of the season opener at Beitostølen next week.

Skaanes has implemented several changes in her preseason training, including a new altitude regime and rigorous sessions in familiar terrain, all geared towards elevating her performance, leading to the 2025 World Championships on home soil.

However, Skaanes believes that the national team possesses an X-factor that provides both her and her colleagues an extra boost: unity and camaraderie. It’s no secret that women thrive in groups, and now, much of the national team resides in Trondheim.

Initially, it was already a close-knit group in the city. Still, in the early summer, the Udnes Weng twins, Tiril and Lotta, also moved to Trondheim, specifically to train on the trails to be used for the 2025 World Championships.

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This means that six out of ten team members now live nearby, training together not only during official sessions but also outside of the organized gatherings.

“We are a solid group working together. Although cross-country skiing is an individual sport, we work together throughout the year except for the 25 minutes we individually spend on the track during competitions,” says Skaanes to Langrenn.com.

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Challenging Debut Season

When Skaanes contracted Covid at the beginning of last season, she missed the World Cup opener and wasn’t in top form until well into February. As a result, she missed the World Championships, and her season debut in the World Cup was a 23rd-place finish in the 50km race in Holmenkollen in mid-March. She ended up mainly training alone while the rest of the team was out competing, and she hopes to avoid that situation this year.

“Going on numerous solo outings is tough. I enjoy a bit of chit-chat, so I’m not very good at heading out alone,” says Skaanes to Langrenn.com.

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Community Elevates Performance

National team coach Stig Rune Kveen lives in Meråker but comes to Trondheim to train with the athletes several times a week. He also sees that the closeness in daily life contributes to raising the team’s level.

“The girls enjoy being together both in and out of training. It’s positive. There is a high level in the training group. We will take advantage of them training many sessions together and being together a lot. They will fight together for development and, most importantly, for medals in 2025,” says Stig Rune Kveen.

He further emphasizes that having the World Championship venue as their training ground every day and simultaneously being able to compete against the world’s best is an additional advantage that they know how to exploit.

“In addition, we are very conscious of scheduling the intensive training sessions in Granåsen to get to know the hills and the intensity one can maintain to come out on top in the various loops,” says Kveen.

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Capitalizing on Home Advantage

With a significant portion of the team living in the neighborhood, Skaanes feels she has every opportunity to elevate her performance and take new strides. However, she acknowledges the associated risks.

“It’s easy to get carried away. I experienced it in training just recently. I was so eager to showcase my hometown that I set off at a slightly too high pace. But fortunately, we know each other so well. I got a tap on the shoulder from Lotta. ‘Marte, aren’t you going a bit too fast now?’ says Skaanes, adding:

“We both push each other and look out for each other. It’s a significant strength we have as a team.”

Pre-World Championship Test in December

If all the rounds in the World Championship venue with and without teammates provide a home advantage for the 2025 World Championships, Skaanes will get an indication in just a few weeks.

The World Cup will be held in Granåsen from December 15 to 17. The Trondheim World Cup round, which features three of the World Championship events, also serves as a pre-World Championship event.

“I hope it will be enjoyable. I’m very pleased we can try some of the World Championship programs and courses. I hope to benefit from the home advantage,” says Skaanes.

Do you really need to go around the track before the races, then?

“I’ll probably go around the track to calm my nerves. But I know every turn of the track.”

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