Kicked Off The Norwegian Team: Andresen Critical To National Team Program

The national team program is absolutely not perfect. There are many things that can be done better. I know what’s missing and can now utilize that.

He is not surprised that other nations have been closing in on the Norwegian men’s team the last couple years.

The national team is a bit old-fashioned — it’s therefore no surprise that other nations are skiing fast, says Jan Egil whom is considering trying new training methods.

– I’m up for trying something new. You have to dare to try new things.

Andresen says that his poor Olympic showing was a result of a bad program ahead leading up to the Olympics.

– We spent too long time in a camp situation without competing. You don’t get in shape that way.

Andresen had never participated in an altitude championship before, and at the time he believed that team’s program prior to the Olympics would be the best. In retrospect he feels that it didn’t work.

– We should have had more races between nationals and the Olympics. That’s what gets you in shape!

Coach Djupvik admits that Andresen is partially right.

– Our experience is that you need as many altitude days as possible. We experienced that in Salt Lake City. But in retrospect we see that some skiers could have benefited from more competitions.

Djupvik also denies that the national team is old-fashioned.

– I don’t agree with that. We are using a traditional training concept, but we have added new impulses the last several years. Our Max V02 tests are for example very high.