Cross-country skiing: Norway's Kristine Ståvas Skistad changes coach, expert surprised

Norwegian cross-country skiing star Kristine Ståvas Skistad has made a surprising decision to change coaches, a move that has been described as a "bomb" by experts in Norway. Skistad, 27, has not trained with the Norwegian national team since 2021, opting instead to work with her personal coach, Lage Sofienlund, in Konnerud.

Sofienlund confirmed to Norwegian media that he is no longer Skistad's personal coach but will continue his role at Konnerud, where Skistad remains part of the club and its training environment. This development has caught many by surprise, given Sofienlund's significant role in Skistad's recent successes.

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It is a bomb. Sofienlund has been a key factor in Kristine's success in recent years on the ski tracks. Therefore, it is very surprising that the collaboration ends.

NRK's skiing expert, Torgeir Björn, called the news a "bomb," expressing astonishment at the end of the collaboration between Skistad and Sofienlund, who has been instrumental in her achievements. Skistad's new coach will be Per Ola Gasmann, a familiar figure who previously coached her.

Gasmann stated he knows Skistad very well, having followed her for four years as a junior and maintaining close contact since. Skistad achieved 11 World Cup victories and a World Championship silver medal in sprint under Sofienlund's guidance. She also finished fifth in the sprint at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

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I know him from before really well. I followed him for four years as a junior and have been in close contact with him since. Only the last two years have I perhaps not been as involved in his training plans.