Original text by Johan Trygg, English text by Teemu Virtanen, Picture by Team Eksjöhus
There is about a month to go until the season premiere of Visma Ski Classics in Orsa Grönklitt, and Team Eksjöhus is busily readying themselves for the winter. The team has just completed a ten-day training camp in Vålådalen with very good training and valuable ski tests.
Axel Jutterström, a 23-year-old recruit, is excited about his debut season. This summer's success on roller-skis and good training this fall has led him to raise his ambition level.
“When I hang out with Morten Eide Pedersen on the longer training sessions, it gives me confidence," Jutterström told Längd.se, our affiliate site.
This weekend, Axel will start his racing season at the Swedish premiere in Gällivare. He will race on both days, but he is approaching this weekend with caution.
"This weekend's race is not a big goal for me. I have no pressure on me, I will have fun and see where I stand in the competitions," says Jutterström.
Axel Jutterström caught Team Eksjöhus’ eye as his great results at the Swedish Championships, 16th in the 15 km skating and 17th in the 30 km classic mass start, this winter showed that he has talent. He was asked to join the new Pro Team, and he quickly proved his chops on roller-skis with his seventh place in the 7.5-kilometer uphill race Lysebotn Opp in Norway and then helped take Team Eksjöhus to second place in the Blink Classics Team Challenge behind Team Ramudden.
In the coming winter season, young Jutterström wants to be on his toes and see how he stacks up against the long-distance elite when racing on snow.
"Yes, I am really looking forward to the premiere in Orsa Grönklitt. That's what I'm charging for, but it's good to get a few races before that to get the engine going.”
How do you like Team Eksjöhus?
"I'm very comfortable. We are a fun bunch, and we've had good training camps.”
This season will be very different for you. What are your thoughts about it?
"Naturally, this winter will be very different from the ones I’ve have had in the past, but it's going to be a lot of fun.”
You have just finished a 10-day camp in Vålådalen with the team. How was it?
“Very good! Nice tracks and a good weather. I’ve done many laps on the 3.5 km artificial snow track. We've had good quality training.”
What are your goals for your first season as a long-distance skier?
"At first, I was going to go into this season to see and learn. But since the things went so well on roller-skis, I now have a little higher expectation of myself. I hope I’ll be able to keep up with the best skiers on a good day.”
What is it like to have Morten Eide Pedersen as your benchmark in your training sessions?
"It's very nice to be able to train and get sparring from him. After all, he has maintained a high and even level in the Pro Tour for many years. It gives me a great boost when I see that I’m capable of keeping the same pace with him.”
Eide Pedersen, who has three victories at Jizerská 50, finished second at Tåssåsen Criterium 64, in Vålådalen last winter, and he is certainly shooting for the Champion fight this season.
Team Eksjöhus sports manager Espen Träldal has seen Jutterström's progress and development up close, and he is more than confident about his new team member’s abilities.
“We believe in this guy. It will be fun to see how well he can perform when the season gets underway. Our skiers were able to get some really good training sessions in Vålådalen, and the ski tracks were in perfect condition. The weather kept changing quite a bit, which was really good. We had a chance to test skis for different conditions, and our waxing manager Fredrik Andrée was able to document a lot of details about the skis," concludes Träldal.
