Athletes often seek to reach their peak condition through intense competition, but what state should a skier be in for competitions to improve their fitness genuinely? When does competing not enhance performance, and it might be better to return to basic training? What does training during the competition season look like? In this article, coach Mikko Virtanen shares his insights.

Many skiers fine-tune their peak performance through competitions. If, during competitions and intensive workouts, it feels like something is still missing, competing generally helps. If muscle condition is good and there are no signs of overtraining, competitions provide challenging, high-intensity workouts that advance progress.

“If the training season has gone well and you feel like you haven’t quite tapped into your full potential during the races, and your muscle condition is good, using competitions to improve condition will work reliably. However, if you have undergone a tough training camp or other forms of strain, then the competition cycle may not advance your fitness but rather hinder it,” says Virtanen to Maastohiihto.com.

How can one assess their condition?

“One way is to monitor your maximum heart rate during competitions. If it’s, for example, 10 beats or more below the maximum heart rate measured in a treadmill test, it indicates that your muscles are not fully opened up, and you’re not getting the most out of yourself. At that point, you need to improve your condition through muscle maintenance, supportive training, and some targeted sharp workouts to elevate your performance in competitions.”

The optimal number of competitions is individual, influenced by the level of basic training and foundation. Some might need a tough workout during the week and two competitions on the weekend to make progress.

“Such a high-intensity block can work for some athletes. When performance in competitions starts to decline, it’s wise to focus on basic training. This varies from person to person and is specific to the athlete.”

Ski Classics star Andreas Nygaard is a prime example of an athlete who always seeks speed through competitions during the season. Excessive high-intensity training before winter does not suit him, and most of his summer and autumn training is controlled threshold training. As the season starts, he competes frequently, and the competitions are crucial for him to reach his maximum performance.

Also Read: Andreas Nygaard’s training doesn’t include gimmicks

Making significant adjustments during the competition season is challenging but possible, as Virtanen knows through his athletes. He also understands how much training during the competition season impacts the overall performance. Individual needs vary, and many factors depend on the athlete’s type. However, the main principles are clear.

“After competitions, you must first ensure recovery, then check metabolic function, and then sharpen the nervous system to keep the body alert. Only then do you prepare for the next competition. You can’t move on to the next step until the previous one is completed,” Virtanen summarizes, adding:

“If you’ve had races on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, recovery and ensuring proper aerobic metabolism might take the entire following week. If you have a race on Saturday, you won’t be able to do any preparatory training. When traveling around the World Cup circuit, training becomes relatively straightforward.”

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