Erik Valnes is already competing for the seventh time at Muonio Olos, this time as the only Norwegian star for reasons of economy.
A large number of Norwegian skiers, both from the B national team and club level, have been training and competing on the slopes of Olostunturi in Muonio this week.
But only a sprinter star came from the A national team Eric Valneswho didn’t leave a single piece for the rest of the group on his bread trip (p) on Friday.
Last year, Valnes continued, even then as a winner, from Muonio to Ruka, where he also won the traditional sprint World Cup competition. It wouldn’t be a surprise this year either.
Valnes is a familiar man in Olos, because he drove 350 kilometers from his home in Tromssa to Finland to train and compete for the seventh time.
Admires Finnish know-how
– Finland is good at getting the slopes already early. You have the kind of know-how with artificial and preserved snow that we lack in Norway.
A year ago, the Norwegian A national team trained in Olos, and according to Valnes, that was the plan now as well. The plan changed when the Norwegian Ski Federation realized the harsh reality. The last fiscal year produced losses of almost one million euros, and skiing’s giant sponsors Equinor and Sparebank1 are leaving in the spring.
– Canceling the Olosken camp was one of the cost-saving measures. The national team’s camp program has been reduced, and the remaining camp will be implemented at a lower price than before.
Valnes is a 28-year-old, intelligent and self-motivated athlete. The Norwegian national team is full of such people.
Money for the competition season
– If there is less money than before, it must of course be used for the competition season. Because if you skimp on it, there is no chance of success. This does not affect the results. The performance of A-national team level athletes does not suffer from the fact that joint camping is reduced, Valnes tells the truth, which, due to the Ski Federation’s financial problems, has been a reality for Finnish national team skiers for a couple of years.
The ski association the previous two financial statements have been negative for a total of more than three million euros.
– I find it interesting that our team spirit has even improved after our operating budget was cut, Valnes says.
Huge success from the World Cup
Judging by everything, the financial problems are quite temporary, because the World Cup in Trondheim in February-March is about to bring a jackpot for the Norwegian Ski Association.
– More tickets have already been sold than for the World Championships in Oslo 2011. The association will surely find big sponsors after the Games.
According to Valnes, the fierce internal competition for World Cup places has also not shaken the team spirit. Of course, his position in the team is quite cemented. The man from Tromsø is primarily aiming for a place in 10 kilometers (p), pair sprint (p) and sprint (v).
At the end of the rainbow is a treasure chest
There is a special feel to Parisprint because Johannes Hösflot Kläbon with a very likely treasure chest waiting at the end of the rainbow. Valnes is strong in the game, as he and the big boy from Trondheim won the 2021 World Championship gold in Oberstdorf and the 2022 Olympic victory in Zhangjiakou.
– There will be tough competition for that place. Certainly the same in Finland, because I will (Neck) has a good chance for a medal, says Valnes, who has a good relationship with Finland’s first artillery.
When he has aired the victory in the pair print competition, Finland has won the silver both times. in Oberstdorf Cross mat Hakolan and John The hillin Zhangjiakou by Niskanen and Mäki.
Of the Norwegian skiers who already achieved World Championship gold in Oslo in 2011 Therese Johaug comes to the World Championships and the female gets a giant catch. Also Peter Northug has hinted that he intends to penetrate the rock-hard WC crew. Valnes answers with a crooked smile.
– It’s not realism. It’s some kind of clever publicity stunt.