Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen is considered one of the biggest female talents in Norway and is a multi-world championship athlete. Already at 17, she was dominating competitors at both junior and senior levels. Many compare the rising star to both Marit Bjørgen and Therese Johaug.

Yet now, she finds herself without a development offer. The Norwegian Ski Federation is shutting down both the junior and recruit national teams after the current season. As a result, the 19-year-old will have no national team support as she prepares to take what may be the most critical step in her career.

Next season, Andreassen moves into the senior ranks. Under normal circumstances, the six-time junior world champion would naturally have progressed to a recruit team.

Now, her likely options are either a regional Elon team (run by the Ski Federation) or a private team. At the same time, she has her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Val di Fiemme and the 2027 World Championships in Falun.

The Federation Must Cut – Shifting the Costs to Athletes

Financial difficulties are forcing the Norwegian Ski Federation to eliminate all national teams except the elite teams starting with the 2025–26 season.

“They should have kept the recruit team, but the Ski Federation says the Elon teams will take over. It’ll be interesting to see how that turns out. It’s not as good financially to be on an Elon team as it is on the recruit team,” says the junior World Championship gold medalist to VG.

One major reason for the dissolution of the junior and recruit teams is that Equinor is ending its sponsorship of these squads. The company had provided substantial financial support in recent seasons.

The Federation has said it will strengthen the Elon teams, but no one knows exactly how this will look. That leaves Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen uncertain about her next steps.

According to VG, it cost up to 35,000 NOK (around 3,200 USD) to be on an Elon team last season.

“It sucks that you have to pay a fee to be part of it. But at the same time, it’s good that you get closer follow-up on the Elon team, with more joint training sessions. You don’t get that with the recruit team,” Andreassen points out.

Considering Private Offers

An alternative for the Bækkelaget skier could be joining a private team. She has previously attended training camps with the long-distance squad Team Eksjöhus, and VG reports that she has several offers lined up for next season.

Andreassen will remain based in Oslo but has moved from Bekkelaget to Grefsen. She works with her private coach Marthe Kristoffersen, who just announced that she is stepping down from her role with Team Eksjöhus.

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