Just a few days ago, the Norwegian regional team skier from Team Elon Oslofjord couldn’t have dreamed of celebrating New Year’s in Toblach, Italy. But on Monday, the Norwegian selection for the Tour de Ski was announced.

The Norwegian Ski Association has chosen 10 men for this year’s Tour de Ski, and one of them is a relatively unknown talent from Njård, Norway, and Team Elon Oslofjord.

22-year-old Matz William Jenssen is one of four sprinters selected for the Tour de Ski, where several accomplished sprinters, including Even Northug, are absent. The other three selected are Erik Valnes, Håvard Solås Taugbøl, and Pål Golberg.

He himself is almost surprised to be part of the selection.

“I hadn’t dreamt of it a few weeks ago, and I didn’t expect to be chosen until MAYBE after the sprint at this weekend’s World Cup in Trondheim,” Jenssen told Langrenn.com.

Read More: Norwegian team for Tour de Ski 2023/2024

“This will be something completely different.”

So far, Jenssen has exclusively participated in sprint races in the World Cup events he has been a part of. Now, he will also compete in long-distance races, and he will compete in seven races in nine days.

“The most I’ve raced continuously until now has been during Norgescup weekends, where there have been three races in three days. This will be something completely different, and it will be demanding. But the two sprints in the Tour are scheduled as stages one and four, so I hope to perform well in those races,” he said.

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Jenssen Training and Quarantine

Several skiers selected for the Tour de Ski are heading to higher altitudes to spend Christmas together. Jenssen will stay in Oslo until his departure on December 28th.

“I considered going to high altitude, but I have little experience with it from before. That’s why I chose to play it safe and train well at home,” he told Langrenn.com, adding that he is looking forward to it.

“I can tell that it will be nice to have a structured training period. We have been racing for five consecutive weekends now, and there hasn’t been much time for regular training between each weekend. So the plan is to put in a lot of hours until the beginning of next week and then ease up a bit in the final week before the Tour starts,” Jenssen said.

But even though he will be spending Christmas at home, there won’t be any big holiday gatherings. The 22-year-old will be training, sleeping, eating, and staying away from most people.

“We haven’t been required to quarantine before departure, but I’m imposing a quarantine on myself. So it will probably be a lonelier Christmas than before, but it’s a choice I’m happy to make now that I’ve been given this opportunity.”

Establishing Himself at the Highest Level

Prior to the national season opener at Beitostølen, few had heard of the sprint talent from Njård.

However, after a strong performance in the classic sprint at Beitostølen, Jenssen secured a spot in the squad for the World Cup opener in Ruka. There, he impressed in all heats and advanced to the final.

Since then, the 22-year-old from Team Elon Oslofjord has been a regular member of the World Cup squad, and during the trial World Championships in Granåsen last weekend, he was selected as part of Norway’s regular quota. Jenssen repaid the trust with another strong finish.

After the first period, Jenssen is currently in fifth place in the overall sprint World Cup standings, and he is in second place in the U23 World Cup, where he is also the top Norwegian.

On Monday, Jenssen was selected for the Tour de Ski.

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Educational

Jenssen himself feels that he has improved significantly during the time he has been competing with the World Cup team this season.

“It’s educational to follow experienced skiers, especially during the race preparation sessions we have before races,” Jenssen said, and continued:

“It’s not groundbreaking stuff, but I’m picking up something all the time, and it’s the little things you notice. It can be things like the technique they choose for climbs and different sections of the track, positioning, track selection, and the line they choose through curves.”

You have participated in some sprint races yourself now. Do you sometimes make suggestions during these race preparation sessions?

“Well, sometimes I have some thoughts, but for now, I’m keeping a low profile.”

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