By Johan Trygg, English text by Teemu Virtanen
Before last winter, there was a lot of speculation about Britta Johansson Norgren’s retirement. A long and successful career would be rounded off at the age of 38. Then, the unfortunate frostbite injury at the season premiere changed her plan and after five straight overall victories in Visma Ski Classics, the winter was nothing like the Lager 157 Ski Team athlete intended. Now she is getting ready for another season and wants to step back on the podium.
“A win in a race this winter would mean more than the victories have done in recent years,” Britta told Längd.se, our affiliate site.
After dominating the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour and becoming a total winner five years in a row and with 21 victories under her belt, last season was a completely different experience for Britta Johansson Norgren. When she was back on the race track after freezing her feet at Engadin La Diagonela, she never reached the podium. The best position was fourth place.
Quitting after a season in which she couldn't do herself justice was not something that felt justified for Britta. The tough season she had to face has instead boosted her motivation and desire to reach the top of the podium in the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour.
We met Britta during Lager 157 Ski Team's training camp in Hallandsåsen last week. The team has been there for several years at this time of the fall. This time, however, they didn't really have the weather on their side. Thursday morning's workout was carried out in persistent rain.
"After three hours, you start to get a little cold when you're so wet," Britta says after having a hot shower and lunch.
You had strong motivation and got off to a good start with training at the beginning of the summer. Has it continued down that road?
“It's been good, but... It's been a little bit of this and that from time to time. Some stuff has come up. I've still been able to train, but it's not just that it's been flowing smoothly.”
Can you tell me a little more?
"A little bit of small things and flaws; like a hip, a little feeling in the back, a shoulder. I have had to temporarily change my training, but I have been able to attend the camps we have had. At first, I thought that I was still suffering from the frostbite injury, and it took me a long time to get the right balance. Now there's no problem in my body anymore.”
Are you worried about your feet this winter when it gets cold again?
"I don't think there will be any problems, although I will feel it when it gets chilly. The worst thing last winter was that I felt the pain in my toes. Last month, I haven't felt any of it. Of course, I will be much more careful with everything when it comes to my feet this winter. I've gone up a size in my ski boots. However, I find it difficult to see that this will affect me in races this winter.”
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?
"Interest has increased a little every year, but this year I think we’ll see a bigger step. The fact that SVT broadcasts in Sweden and NRK in Norway will do a lot. As for the women's class, there are many interesting skiers coming in, such as Hanna Falk for example. The sport is growing, and I also think we’ll witness a different character on both athletes and how the races develop. I don't think it's going to be the same skier dominating all the time. I think it will be an exciting and interesting winter.”
Astrid Øyre Slind seems to be strong again – what are your thoughts on her comeback?
"She has been super strong this summer and also in the previous years. At her best, she's really good. We'll see if she can maintain her shape throughout the season. She really hasn't been able to do that before. I think Hanna is going to do really well. Then, there's the question of whether her shape can last all season and in tougher races.”
What about Bjørgen? She's planning to do five races.
"Everyone says she trains hard. She did well at Vasaloppet, but you don't know... It was a one-off race. Then, we’ll have Therese Johaug at the end of the season. At Reistadøpet, she has a course that really suits her.”
For Britta, who tops the Visma Ski Classics Hall of Fame with 21 wins, anything but victories or podium places can more or less be seen as a failure. It's a tough situation to face when the women's class gets tougher every year.
"You want to be the best yourself, be on the podium in every race. But for the interest, it is good when the game shifts a bit and becomes more competitive. We're supposed to entertain, and we'll do that more this coming winter. I think it will be a fun season in that way.”
You said earlier this year that since last season turned out the way it did, the motivation is now at its peak for the upcoming season. Can you elaborate on your statement?
"For a few years before last winter, you could say that it was business as usual. Now, if I won a race this winter, it would mean more than it has in a long time. To show that I survived the setbacks but also that I kept up with the development. That it was just not luck that helped me to win those races before. I also feel more pressure. I need to develop. I know I have the same level as I had in the past. My shape doesn't feel super yet, which it should not be. Hopefully, I can take another step. I don't think it's enough to be where I've been before.”
Last winter it was Team Ramudden with Lina Korsgren, Ida Dahl and Jenny Larsson that dominated the women's class. Now Lager 157 Ski Team is lining up with a trio to give the Ramudden girls something to bite into. It will be a strong trio when Britta is complemented by the team's new acquisition Hanna Falk and Norwegian Thea Krokan Murud.
You're a strong trio!
"All three of us girls have slightly different types of capacities, but it also means that in all races we have someone who should definitely be one of the favorites to win. For example, in Orsa, which will be a shorter and flatter race, it suits Hanna super well. Thea is more of an endurance athlete. I guess I'm a mix between those. I don't see myself as a sprinter like Hanna, but it's one thing to sprint after a longer race. It also feels good that I’m not the only one expected to succeed. If I have a bad day, the others can step forward. We can help each other more.”
Britta made her World Cup debut in 2003 at the age of 20. Then, she spent more than ten years as a World Cup skier and took part in three Olympics and three World Championships. Britta competed in the relay team that won bronze in 2009 and silver in 2011. In the 2014/2015 season, Visma Ski Classics became her cup of tea.
If someone had told the 15-year-old Britta that you were going to be a professional skier at the age of 38 in 2021, what would you have said then?
"That it wasn't possible. Now, it's everyday life and you hang out with all the good skiers. Then it would have been a big deal to be told that you would get to be in the national team and go to the Olympics. I think few people in their 20s think they're going to do it after they're 30. Now, it has become more accepted, but I never thought my career would continue this long. When we had Emilia (the daughter born in November 2011), I thought maybe two more years. Then it has become harder and harder to quit. No one believes me when I say I’m going to quit.”
How did your career get started?
"Actually, horses were my main interest. I competed there, too. The reason I went for skiing was because it was my mother's interest since she was a kid. My older sisters quit when they were 15 or 16. I hung out with them in camps from when I was a kid. I wasn't a junior star. I guess I didn't have that backing, but I was good at doing races. I could win one and be way down the list in the next one. Then, it just developed from there.”
