KRISSE AND HIS CHALLENGES

To participate in and finish Nordenskiöldsloppet was a big goal for you, which you achieved almost a year ago. You even went to work only part-time because of it. How has your life changed after the race day on 26th of March, 2022?

I think the biggest change is for sure the way I see things and how you can set goals and achieve them if you work hard enough.

Elite athletes often get very overwhelmed after such big events and need some time to recover not just physically, but psychologically as well. Did you catch some of those feelings too? If yes, how did you cope with them?

The first days after I felt quite empty, almost like, “What am I supposed to do now?” Even the first months and really hard to find motivation to keep what I had built under so long time. I could after a while enjoy training again and soon look forward to this winter again and new competitions. I had to mix up my training with more gym also, I felt finished for a while with poles and skis.

Nordenskiöldsloppet is taking a break this year, but the race will be back in 2024. Will we see you on the start line again some time in the future?

Resounding yes! Looking forward to even register for this race. For me it has become so much more than just a race, for me it has been a journey where I have let myself live a life more compatible with myself as a human.

Can you give five tips on what to do (or what not to do) when you are an amatuer skier but want to challenge yourself?

Set goals
Be persistent
Have discipline
Find others to share it with
Love the journey, most important one

We hear you have another challenge coming up next week – the Marcialonga ski race in Italy. How did you decide to go there and how are you preparing for it?

I won a starting ticket for this race last season in Norway, Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race, so I really did not have any choice but to do it now I just cant wait to be on the starting line on Sunday, January 29th.