The 24-year-old went straight from the regional squad to the Norwegian national team. The ambitions are sky-high, and everything else is put on hold.

On Wednesday, the Norwegian Ski Association presented the national elite team for the season 2024/2025. The young man from Vind IL in Gjøvik is one of two new skiers and one of 11 men.

Read More: Norwegian national cross-country skiing team for the season 2024/2025

Ansgar Evensen made his way into the World Cup team already after the Norwegian national season opener at Beitostølen in November 2023.

There, he finished second in the sprint, only beaten by the veteran Erik Valnes. Evensen, who was the reigning U23 World Champion in sprint at the time and represented the regional team Elon Innlandet, was rewarded with a spot in the World Cup team for the opening in Ruka the following week. And he’s been there since.

In Ruka, Evensen finished fifth in the sprint final, behind Erik Valnes, Richard Jouve, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, and Federico Pellegrino. After Christmas, he secured his first podium finish in the World Cup, as he took second place in the classic sprint in Oberhof.

Combined with a decent number of top-10 results, Evensen has now earned a spot on the Norwegian national elite team for the upcoming season. He seizes that trust with both hands and rolls up his sleeves. The ambitions are sky-high.

Langrenn.com had a chat with the 24-year-old about his spot on the national team, his ambitions, and the tasks ahead.

The article continues below.

What does it mean to you to get a spot on the Norwegian national elite team?

“It provides new opportunities and more opportunities than I’ve had before. I’m looking forward to that”, says Ansgar Evensen to Langrenn.com.

In what way will it change your everyday life?

“It will be somewhat different. Especially since I had a job alongside my training last year. I quit this winter when I realized I had something to aim for with the World Championships. Then I thought I had to go all in”, says Evensen.

He plans to make the most of it.

What expectations do you have for the first season?

“It’s the World Championships, of course. I got my first podium finish in the World Cup this winter, so a podium finish there is obviously a goal. I won’t hide that. That’s basically all I’m working towards now.”

How will you achieve that?

“For me, it’s primarily about performing early, so that I’m sure I get to compete in the races I need to qualify for the World Championships. So, I must perform well at Beitostølen, like I did this season. That opened a lot of doors. It wouldn’t be bad to be in shape there again this year.”

Are you making any changes to your training regime to achieve that?

“I’ll have more time to train now that I don’t have the job alongside. I doubt I’ll make any major changes to how I train since I felt like I did well with-it last year. Not anything drastic but a bit more.”

That being said, there are some areas Evensen will prioritize: Qualification rounds.

“I need to try to get better at the prologues. I need to make sure I qualify.”

What does the dryland season mean to you? Is it something you enjoy or just a long way until it snows again?

“I like summer. I prefer winter the most, but cycling a bit and doing other things are also great fun. It’s nice to have a bit of a break from skiing.”

Cycling?

“Yes. It seems like it’s a bit of a trend among cross-country skiers now. You get to unwind a bit and use some different muscles. I’ve bought myself a road bike now. You get a bit farther than on roller skis, and it’s less stressful.”