– I’m going to become a better skier by not being on the national team, says Jan Egil Andresen after being kicked off the team. He is not very complimentary about the “World’s best†national team.
Source: Langrenn.com
![](http://images.fasterskier.com/oldsitearchive/upload/060511image001-37.jpg width=440 height=342.01284796574 border=1><BR><font size=1 face=verdana>Jan Egil Andresen at the Torino Olympics Photo: Erland Lundby</font></center><BR></p>
<p>The 27-year old say that the biggest problem with losing the national team spot is related to finances. He now has to work harder to get sponsors and organize camps. But it has its positive sides.</p>
<p> – It’s good to start thinking. Everything is organized for you when you are on the national team, which makes you stop thinking and just follow the stream, says Andresen.</p>
<p>Jan Egil Andresen has an education from the Norwegian Sport College and had both theoretical and coaching experience in addition to his own experience as a racer. He sees many weaknesses with the national team program and doesn’t believe it should be too hard to create an equally good program or better on his own.</p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p>He is not surprised that other nations have been closing in on the Norwegian men’s team the last couple years.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>– I’m up for trying something new. You have to dare to try new things.</p>
<p>Andresen says that his poor Olympic showing was a result of a bad program ahead leading up to the Olympics.</p>
<p>– We spent too long time in a camp situation without competing. You don’t get in shape that way.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>– We should have had more races between nationals and the Olympics. That’s what gets you in shape!</p>
<p>Coach Djupvik admits that Andresen is partially right.</p>
<p>– 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.</p>
<p>Djupvik also denies that the national team is old-fashioned.</p>
<p>– 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.</p>
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