Vegard Ulvang
1992 Olympic Champion (3 Golds) in his best year of skiing. Numerous Norwegian
Championships, World Championship medals, and World Cup victories.
Enormously popular in Norway and Europe, for his skiing abilities, adventure
expeditions, and outgoing personality. Continues to be a media attraction in
Norway and other European skiing nations.
Owns and directs a sport-underwear and wool product company, and is heavily
involved as a volunteer and ski community representative in the International
Ski Federation.
Is married to an equally athletic Grethe Ingeborg Nykkelmo, who was a two-sport
World Champion (Cross-Country skiing and Biathlon) as well as a National Team
track star.
Olympic Hero Vegard Ulvang
FasterSkier · September 19, 2003
 and Salmon</p><p>
<b>If you had to eat lunch at a fast-food restaurant, where would you go and<br />
what would you order? </b><br />
Rather be hungry<br />
<b><br />
Favorite vacation place?</b><br />
Northern Norway</p></div><div class=)
What is your favorite place to ski?
Norwegians Mountains in the spring time.
Favorite place to race?
Albertville, France
Favorite place to train (skiing or dryland)?
Seiser Alm Italy in winter and Kirkenes (home town ) in summer.
Why do/did you enjoy being a ski racer? What part of being a ski racer don't
you enjoy?
All the outdoor training activities, the competitions, the fight against myself
and against the competitors.
What made you better than the other skiers that you grew up with?
Lots of (very) systematic training
What do you spend your time with after retirement (sitting in a chair drinking
martinis, or other things that keep you busy)?
Keeping myself in good shape with all kinds of outdoor activities, spending
more time with my family, and being involved in International Ski politics
Are you still training and being active (staying in shape)?
Minimum 4 times a week
Did retirement include adding a few kg and avoiding competitions?
NO
Are you now involved as a coach with any groups?
Occacionally ,yes.
What is one of your favorite non-skiing accomplishments?
[Editor: Vegard has done several expedition-type adventures, including crossing
the Greenland inland ice on skis, and climbing several of the tallest mountains
in the World. He has won numerous non-sport awards in his native country of
Norway, some as an ambassador for active outdoor lifestyles.]
What do/did you do to pass the time when you are/were on the road at races and
training camps?
Reading books
What were your best ever races?
30 km Olympic Winter Games 1992, Albertville France
How do/did you deal with bad races?
Forget them as soon as possible and learn from my faults
How do you feel about the changes in race format over the past few years (sprint
racing, mass starts, skiathalon/duathalon)?
They have made the sport more exiting and interesting to a wider range of audience.
What is your take on the issue of blood-doping in cross country ski racing these
days?
I hope and believe that the new test regimes have helped a lot.
Did you have a favorite interval or time-trial/pace workout?
NO
Can you give us a single piece of advice for aspiring Junior skiers?
Train a lot, do different sports, have fun and be patient.
How about some advice for Masters Skiers?
Don’t let it be too serious, training and competition is supposed to be
fun
Is the National and International press/media still interested in what you are
doing?
Yes