Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, has won the Champion competition five years in a row. Will she be able to win even a sixth time in the increasingly sharp women’s class.
“I rank a Grand Classics Grand Slam higher. Of course, I want to win the Champion competition again, but I also want to win what I have not won before,” says Britta.
Britta Johansson Norgren is the giant in Visma Ski Classics. She tops the Hall of Fame with 21 victories. Now a Grand Classics Grand Slam is tempting for the 37-year-old Swede. Grand Classics consists of the four big races; Marcialonga, Jizerska Padesatka, Vasaloppet, and Birkenbeinerrennet. Britta has won the first three but not during the same season and never Birken. Will she make it this winter?
We met Britta when Lager 157 Ski Team had a training camp on Hallandsåsen in southern Sweden and heard about her thoughts in front of season XI.
How has the time been since season X ended so abruptly after Vasaloppet?
“This year has been very different. Corona made everything uncertain about the season and training camps, then this thing about fluorwax that changed. It’s been a lot. You have to be prepared for a different season where there may be changes.”
How has this affected you?
“I think it has worked okay. The training has gone well, and we have been able to have training camps as usual with the team.
Are you in the position you want to be at this time of the year?
“My plan is that the shape will come a little later this winter. I’ve moved everything a bit. Usually, I have been in very good shape in January, and then the form has dipped at the end of the season. The end season races are the ones I have left to win.”
“If you look at the new Grand Classics, it is also essential to have good form later in the winter. I really want to be at my best for Vasaloppet and Birken. As it feels now, I have probably succeeded with my planning - that I’m maybe three weeks behind where I usually am this time of the year.”
“It always gets more exciting when you get on skis. For me, it always kind of a hard time on roller skis. I never really find the charm with it. But of course, I’ve done the job so far. But it feels like everyone else has done it to this year. It will be an exciting season.”
Have you done anything different in the preparations for this winter?
“There are no significant changes in my training except to try to get in top shape a bit later.”
How would you describe the development of Visma Ski Classics?
“On the women’s side, it went a little slow at first, but things have started to happen in recent years. Lots of Swedish girls are among the top ten, which is fun. I notice that the interest in the women’s class has grown a lot. I think it’s great that people now understand how tough it is to be at the top.”
Will Britta be the first to win the Grand Classics Grand Slam?
What are your thoughts about the new Grand Classics.
“I rank a Grand Classics Grand Slam higher than an overall victory in the Pro Tour. Of course I want to win the Champion competition again, but I also want to win what I have not won before. These are the four biggest races and something new.”
“If you race well in the four races, you get a lot of points in the total. But I can still say that I don’t focus on the overall in the same way as before.”
You have never managed to win Birken!
“It’s hilly, and so far, no women double poled to victory. But I’m convinced that it will work. We’ll see if it’s me or someone else who does it.”
How many more years will we see you in the Pro Tour?
“I have taken one year at a time for the last two years. I have said several times that I will not do another October. I feel more and more ready for something else to do, but it’s a difficult choice. As long as I feel like I’m evolving, it’s fun. Last winter, I thought that I could get so much better in some parts, and then it’s hard to quit.”
Since we interviewed Britta, Visma Ski Classics plan B has been released. We checked with Britta how she likes the updated competition schedule.
What do you think about Visma Ski Classics Plan B for season XI?
“I think the Visma Ski Classic’s organization made good decisions. It was also great that the plan came out simultaneously as Vasaloppet released its plan for 2021. Now we can only hope that all the events can be implemented.”
What do you say about the new race, Årefjällsloppet 100 km?
“It will be a tough one at the end of the season. it will be a challenge for everyone.”
