For the sprint talent from Norway, the news that he wouldn’t be racing in the Engadin World Cup was the best he could receive.

When the 23-year-old from Team Elon Oslofjord found out that he wouldn’t be racing in the World Cup in Engadin the weekend after the Norwegian Championships (NM), he realized how the discussion between the regional team coach and the national team leadership had concluded. Now, Matz William Jenssen is heading to the World Championships in Trondheim.

This comes despite two tough days at NM in Gåsbu, the season’s final selection races. He was eliminated in the sprint prologue on Thursday morning and then finished 93rd in the skiathlon two days later.

But on Sunday afternoon, two days before the main selection for the World Championships in Trondheim was announced, Jenssen received an indirect confirmation that he was in the World Championship squad: he wasn’t selected for the World Cup in Engadin.

“The Best News I Could Get”

“It actually started with a conversation between my coach, sprint coach Arild Monsen, and (Eirik Myhr) Nossum on Saturday, where they discussed whether it was necessary for me to travel to the World Cup in Engadin the weekend after NM. It ended with them saying it wasn’t necessary, given how NM went,” Jenssen told Langrenn.com.

Last year’s breakout star says that was the best news he could receive.

“I could stay home and train, and I was included in the first World Championship selection.”

At the same time, Jenssen admits he wasn’t at all certain things would turn out this way and feels extremely relieved.

“I was a bit nervous because I had a bad feeling after the skiathlon at NM, where I struggled a lot. If I had then traveled up to 1800 meters to race and prove myself with the form I had, I don’t think it would have benefited me. So I’m very grateful that they said it wasn’t necessary,” says Jenssen.

What do you think about being selected for the World Championships?

“The thought of competing in a home World Championships is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. As of now, I’m in the squad, but I still have to earn my spot on the start line.”

Even though Jenssen feels he performed well in the designated selection races before Christmas—placing second in the Norwegian Cup opener at Gålå and reaching the finals in the World Cup sprints in Lillehammer and Davos—the past five to six weeks have been rough for the Njård sprint talent.

Falling ill on Christmas Eve forced Jenssen to give up his Tour de Ski spot just two days before the event started. NM in mid-January was his first race in over a month, and the results reflected that.

“I knew I had strong results from the two skate sprints I did in the World Cup before Christmas. But having a poor sprint race (at NM) wasn’t the best signal,” Jenssen said.

Gearing Up for the World Championships

Now, Jenssen has rolled up his sleeves and begun preparations to peak for the World Championships.

“There are still several weeks until Worlds. Being in peak shape now isn’t the same as being in peak shape right before the Championships. I’d even argue that if you’re in top form now, it’s harder to maintain it all the way until Worlds than it is to build up to peak form at the right time,” he explains.

With that in mind, Jenssen believes his own preparation schedule for the World Championships is nearly perfect.

“Having five weeks between NM and Worlds is very beneficial. First, I get three weeks of hard training and volume, and then I can taper and add some speed in the final two weeks leading up to the Championships.”

As part of that plan, he will compete in the Norwegian Cup in Steinkjer this weekend, featuring a 20km freestyle race, classic sprint, and classic pursuit. After that, he hopes to be selected for the World Cup in Falun from February 14–16.

“The federation has selected one extra sprinter for the World Championship squad than there is room for in the sprint event in Trondheim, and it’s not yet decided who will race. But now I have time to train and focus on showing good form when the World Championships approach.”

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