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.
 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>
<p> <b>What is your favorite place to ski? </b><br />
Norwegians Mountains in the spring time. </p>
<p><b>Favorite place to race? </b><br />
Albertville, France</p>
<p><b>Favorite place to train (skiing or dryland)?<br />
</b> Seiser Alm Italy in winter and Kirkenes (home town ) in summer.</p>
<p> <b> Why do/did you enjoy being a ski racer? What part of being a ski racer don't<br />
you enjoy?</b><br />
All the outdoor training activities, the competitions, the fight against myself<br />
and against the competitors.<br />
<b><br />
What made you better than the other skiers that you grew up with?</b><br />
Lots of (very) systematic training<br />
<b><br />
What do you spend your time with after retirement (sitting in a chair drinking<br />
martinis, or other things that keep you busy)?</b><br />
Keeping myself in good shape with all kinds of outdoor activities, spending<br />
more time with my family, and being involved in International Ski politics<br />
<b><br />
Are you still training and being active (staying in shape)? </b><br />
Minimum 4 times a week<br />
<b><br />
Did retirement include adding a few kg and avoiding competitions?</b><br />
NO<br />
<b><br />
Are you now involved as a coach with any groups?</b><br />
Occacionally ,yes.<br />
<b><br />
What is one of your favorite non-skiing accomplishments?</b><br />
[Editor: Vegard has done several expedition-type adventures, including crossing<br />
the Greenland inland ice on skis, and climbing several of the tallest mountains<br />
in the World. He has won numerous non-sport awards in his native country of<br />
Norway, some as an ambassador for active outdoor lifestyles.]<br />
<b><br />
What do/did you do to pass the time when you are/were on the road at races and<br />
training camps?</b><br />
Reading books<br />
<b><br />
What were your best ever races?</b><br />
30 km Olympic Winter Games 1992, Albertville France<br />
<b><br />
How do/did you deal with bad races? </b><br />
Forget them as soon as possible and learn from my faults<br />
<b><br />
How do you feel about the changes in race format over the past few years (sprint<br />
racing, mass starts, skiathalon/duathalon)?</b><br />
They have made the sport more exiting and interesting to a wider range of audience.<br />
<b><br />
What is your take on the issue of blood-doping in cross country ski racing these<br />
days? </b><br />
I hope and believe that the new test regimes have helped a lot.<br />
<b><br />
Did you have a favorite interval or time-trial/pace workout?</b><br />
NO<br />
<b><br />
Can you give us a single piece of advice for aspiring Junior skiers?</b><br />
Train a lot, do different sports, have fun and be patient.<br />
<b><br />
How about some advice for Masters Skiers?</b><br />
Don’t let it be too serious, training and competition is supposed to be<br />
fun<br />
<b><br />
Is the National and International press/media still interested in what you are<br />
doing?</b><br />
Yes </p>
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