Norwegians depend on Ulvang to regain the glory
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 - By FIS
2009/2010 was not the best season for the Norwegian distance Cross-Country team. If there was not Petter Northug and his overall World Cup Victory you would find the first Norwegian, Eldar Roenning on 15th place and Tord Asle Gjerdalen on 39th spot being the third best of Norway's distance specialists.
Norwegian distance team learned a lesson and plan to regain top positions in the World Cup and at home Nordic World Champs in Oslo. Knowledge and expertise of double Olympic Champion Vegard Ulvang should help that. "There is lot of experience around in Norway that could help the distance team to become the best again" said Vegard Ulvang to NRK.
Vegard Ulvang had kept records about his training and now he digitalized them and made available for training purposes of the Norwegian team. "It's great that you can look back a little, maybe there is something to retrieve. Perhaps there could by inspiration in how Norwegian skiers trained in the 70's - and 80's "explained Vegard Ulvang.
"Back to the roots" strategy was slightly uncovered some time ago in our interview with Norwegian Cross-Country director Hermod Bjoerkestoel where he said: "Running in mountains and wet lands will be more dominant part of the training this summer and fall." This statement is put in practice on the Norwegian training in Seiser Alm (ITA). "We have run a lot more than before. We know such trainings were carried out in the 90s and we want back this tradition"said national coach Morten Aa Djupvik to NRK.
Eldar Rønning has not been on the World Cup distance podium since 2007 and believes the new initiative. "When it comes to volume we have something to pick up on, because when you look back you will realize how our skiers were incredibly good" said Eldar Rønning told NRK.
We will find out in 81 days when the World Cup season kicks off and later in Oslo 2011 if the new strategy go sour on Norway' Men distance squad.
With files from nrksport.no, original article HERE.