Swiss train with Norwegians in Oslo
Thu, Sep 25, 2008 - By FIS
A unique training project for the Swiss World Cup distance team and the private Norwegian Team X-tra personell including the long distance specialists Anders and Jörgen Aukland as well as the World Champion Jens Arne Svartedal was created by the newly engaged Coach Fredrik Aukland, the brother of Anders and Jörgen. Fredrik Aukland, also a consultant for the Team X-Tra, organized a training camp for both groups in Oslo at the NIH (Norwegian sport academy) .
During the visit, the athletes completed two training units together every day and exchanged many experiences. Especially exciting and challenging for the Swiss athletes was the 4-hour running with poles through the marshes around Oslo. It was tough endurance training with an awesome nature experience for them. Another really positive aspect of the training camp was the mental effect: "Our athletes can feel in these meetings that international athletes too are looking to them as examples and that we are becoming a Cross-Country nation, even if a small one", said Adriano Iseppi, Head of Cross-Country in Switzerland.
This was underlined by a comparison of the Swiss newcomer Dario Cologna (SUI) with Petter Northug (NOR) by the Press Chief of Team X-tra personell Nils Oetterstand: "Cologna is the guy we refer to as Swiss "Northug jr" with an extreme finish," he said.
Following the training camp in Oslo, the Swiss team continued on for training in Torsby (SWE) in the ski tunnel, while the B-Team discovered the beautiful surrounding of Fiesch (SUI) on roller skis.
Includes contributions by Swiss Ski
During the visit, the athletes completed two training units together every day and exchanged many experiences. Especially exciting and challenging for the Swiss athletes was the 4-hour running with poles through the marshes around Oslo. It was tough endurance training with an awesome nature experience for them. Another really positive aspect of the training camp was the mental effect: "Our athletes can feel in these meetings that international athletes too are looking to them as examples and that we are becoming a Cross-Country nation, even if a small one", said Adriano Iseppi, Head of Cross-Country in Switzerland.
This was underlined by a comparison of the Swiss newcomer Dario Cologna (SUI) with Petter Northug (NOR) by the Press Chief of Team X-tra personell Nils Oetterstand: "Cologna is the guy we refer to as Swiss "Northug jr" with an extreme finish," he said.
Following the training camp in Oslo, the Swiss team continued on for training in Torsby (SWE) in the ski tunnel, while the B-Team discovered the beautiful surrounding of Fiesch (SUI) on roller skis.
Includes contributions by Swiss Ski