After winning two races and finishing third in the three races in Finland before Christmas, Mattis Stenshagen was leading the Scandinavian Cup by a significant margin. The 27-year-old, representing the private Team Swix, was almost sure that he had secured a spot in the Norwegian team for the Tour de Ski.

However, it didn’t turn out that way. Even when Simen Hegstad Krüger and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had to withdraw from the Tour de Ski, the national team management didn’t find a place for Mattis Stenshagen.

But he got his revenge this weekend. After the Scandinavian Cup stage, he is still leading the overall standings, and according to the Norwegian Ski Federation’s regulations, he now has a free pass for the remaining World Cup races this season, totaling 20 races.

“I’ll have to sit down and plan my schedule,” Stenshagen said, pleased with his performance, adding that he doubts he will participate in all of them.

When asked which World Cup events are most appealing to him, he replied, “All of them, really! So, it’s about figuring out where I have the most potential. But already next weekend, there’s a 20-kilometer mass start race in Oberhof that I think could suit me very well,” Stenshagen told Langrenn.com, and continued:

“I’ll have to see which World Cup races I prioritize because the next (and final) round in the Scandinavian Cup is extremely important. The overall winner there gets a free pass to all World Cups until Christmas next season, so you can secure a very good position toward the goal of making it into the squad for the 2025 World Championships.”

Read More – Oberhof World Cup: Complete program for the week

For weeks, Stenshagen has been in isolation to increase his chances of being in top form when it matters most. He has stayed away from his partner, family, and friends, rarely going to the store, and avoiding public transportation. He spent Christmas Eve alone at the family cabin in Skeikampen, and the rest of the holiday season was also spent alone, including New Year’s Eve.

“There is a certain charm in being alone too and focusing on chasing the goals you have set,” Stenshagen said to Langrenn.com.

Stenshagen’s ultimate goal is the 2025 World Championships, which will be held in Trondheim, Norway. The results he has achieved so far this season are motivating him.

“The 2025 World Championships are the really big thing. As long as I feel that I have a realistic chance to stand at the starting line in Trondheim in just over a year, I have a lot of motivation to get out there and train.”

At the same time, he knows that the competition is fierce.

“If I’m going to make it to the World Championships, it’s about showing a top-level performance that can compete with those who participate in the World Cup, and the level in Norway is high. In that sense, the free pass you get as the leader and potential winner of the Scandinavian Cup becomes more and more important.”

Here are the current standings in the Scandinavian Cup:

Top 3 Men (after six out of nine races)

1. Mattis Stenshagen, Follebu IL/Team Swix, 518 points
2. Emil Iversen, IL Varden, 501 points
3. Håvard Moseby, Kjelsås IL/Rekruttlandslaget, 476 points

Top 3 Women (after six out of nine races)

1. Silje Theodorsen, Kvaløysletta Skilag/Team Aker Dæhlie, 521 points
2. Nora Sanness, Kjelsås IL/Team Elon Oslofjord, 396 points
3. Julie Myhre, Byåsen IL/Elitelandslaget, 343 points