Team Atomic, aka The Thin Red Line, handily won Nordic skiing’s most impressive title this last winter. Anders Aukland won the FIS Marathon Cup in one of the most competitive years ever. This FIS sanctioned series is made up of Marathons in ten different countries. The races begin with the La Sgambeda in Italy and end with the Birkebeiner in Norway. We caught up with Atomic’s Nordic Race Director, Roman Toferer, at the world headquarters in Altenmarkt, Austria to discuss winning the overall title.
Real Racing
FasterSkier · November 13, 2008
RICK HALLING: A 50km at a college carnival? I don’t see that happening.
ROMAN TOFERER: I don’t know. I am just a ski guy living in Europe, I wish I knew more about your race programs. But I do know it would be very exciting to see an American win a major Marathon.
RICK HALLING: Who do you see as the next American to pull that off?
ROMAN TOFERER: Many top US men and women right now are sprinters. Your best distance skiers have shown their peak and I do not think they will win major marathons. However, the US has some very good young skiers who show the ability to win long races. I think in a few years Lindsey Dehlin for women and James Southam for men could win events like Vasaloppet in Sweden or Birkebeiner in Norway.
RICK HALLING: Is that why you recruited James Southam this summer? He is now a part of the Thin Red Line.
ROMAN TOFERER: Definitely. I can see him as first American man on top of the podium at Sweden’s Vasaloppet. James is fast Alaska boy who can go the distance.
RICK HALLING: Thanks for your time. I will see you on the Dachstein.
ROMAN TOFERER: Ja, and don’t forget to bring over some Leinenkugels. I tried for first time at American Birkebeiner last year. That will taste good after a day of glacier skiing.