Who is the fastest skate-skier? Both the Norwegian National biathlon Team and the Cross-Country team will be at the start line of the Skarverennet marathon later in April.
Lars Berger (24) can’t hide the fact that he looks very much forward to the 38-km race on April 24th.
– I will ski as hard as I can. The tapering and training is however not optimal at this time of the year, since I am mostly just training easy and also spend time testing equipment, says Berger, who is regarded as the World’s fastest skate skier by many.
Biathlete Berger skied his last Cross-Country race two weeks ago at the 15 km Military World Championship race. He then beat Cross-Country World Cup winner Vincent Vittoz, France, by 53.6 seconds. Strong Cross-Country specialists, such as Pietro Piller Cottrer, Kristen Skjeldal and Christian Hoffmann ended in 5th, 6th, and 9th place respectively.
– The problem with the Skarverennet marathon is that it’s mass-start, where everything can happen. Although I am not training hard right now, I believe I can generate soem good speed, says the skating phantom.
His teammates, quadruple Olympic biathlon Gold medallist, Ole Einar Bjœrndalen, and Frode Andresen are also ready to have fun challenging the Cross-Country specialists.
Head National Team Cross-Country coach Krister SœrgÃ¥rd believes many of the best Cross-Country National Team skiers will start, including Vasaloppet winner Anders Aukland, and sprint ace Jens Arne Svartedal.
– Today’s elite Cross-Country skiers are always is good shape, and train hard all year around, says SœrgÃ¥rd.
