Gold and silver at the Norwegian championships

This weekend we skied the norwegian championships in Stokke south-west of Oslo. As I caught a cold after the Ski EOC at Lillehammer, I was not sure if I could take part in the national championships before friday. I did a short classic training thursday evening and a skating session friday, as I felt much better friday I decided to compete. (Photo: Ivar Gilså, photo taken at the middle distance)

Saturday we skied the middle distance. It was tough physically, I felt tired, but I did a good orienteering technical race and finished second, 12 seconds behind Stine Kirkevik. Junior Barbro Kvåle finished third. Christian skied ok and finished as number 6. Results: Women, Men

Sunday, I felt better, I skied faster and did a good orienteering technical race. I won 30 sek ahead of Stine Kirkeivk. Christian did not ski 100% at the long distance, as he did not feel 100%, and used the long distance to find the orienteering technical flow. Results

A perfect end of the week: Relay Bronze

Together with the rest of the norwegian women relay team, Stine Olsen Kirkevik and Marianne Melbye Larsen, I ended the european championship with a bronze medal. Our goal was to fight for a medal, but during the relay it did not seam very likely. Marianne skied the first leg, she did good in the start and was about a minute behind the lead about half way. But towards the end of her leg she got trouble, and lost almost 5 minutes to Russia I in the lead. Stine skied amazing on the second leg, with the best leg time she skied us up from a 9th to a 6th position and changed over 3.50 behind Russia I. However 3.50 is a lot to catch, and a medal seamed like an impossible task, but as I skied out on the last leg I heard the speaker say that both Russia and Finland was doing mistakes in the lead: there was still hope! I did an ok start and cathced Finland II towards the 3rd control, at the public control I could see Finland I, and Liisa Anttila, in front. I was fighting for a forth place. Four controls later we were together, Liisa did a right rout choice to the 3rd last control, whilst I decided to go left to avoid the extra climb. This was a smart move and I punched the next control in front of Liisa. What I did not know was that Russia II did a major mistake in the end and was behind us, we got the bronze! (Photo: Stein Arne Nygård)

GPS tracking from the last leg: here.

Christian finished 7th with the Swiss team. He did an ok race on the second leg. Switzerland won a bronze medal in the relay at the World championships in Moscow in 2007. Hopefully they will do well in Sweden in march and fight for a medal.

European Champion

Today Marte became European Champion in the middle distanse race. She was leading all the way from the start to the finish. It was a great day to win a championship on homeground.

after first two days of the European Championship

The European Championships startet rather bad for both of us. At the long distance on wednesday Marte had to many mistakes and ended on 4th place. Her goal was to win a medal.

 Marte during the long distance

Christian had a bad day physically. He felt heavy during the race, but could not go to the limit. With several mistakes he ended on a disapointing 26th place.

Today the spint was held in a very small area with a thight track-network and a map-change halfway. Marte had to mayor masitakes and ended again outside the medals on ashared 4th place together with Hannele Tonna.
Christian had problems with the map from the beginning. He was allways a step too late. That resultet in several mistakes and ended on 24th position.

Christian (long distance)

Now we hope for better competitions tomorrow (middle distance, massstart) and on sunday (relay).
You can follow the results here.