Sofie Elebro has ended Season XII at the 6th position in the women’s Ski Classics competition while racing for Team Næringsbanken. Now, the Swedish long-distance skier changed to a Pro Team from her country, Team Eksjöhus, and hopes to improve her performance next season.
ProXCskiing talked to the Swedish athlete about her career, goals and about how she is preparing for next season.
Sofie Elebro has had her best season so far. The 29-year-old Swedish skier had some of the best results in her career, like 5th place in Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge and 6th place at Reistadløpet, while also having several top-10 finishes.
Now, the Swedish skier changed from Team Næringsbanken to Team Eksjöhus and aims to fight for her first podium place at Ski Classics with the support of her new team. With that goal in mind, Sofie has been training for several hours while still doing other kinds of work, like forest planting.
What is your opinion about last season? What were your best and worst moments?
“The season started well. I felt good at La Diagonela, and my best moments of the season were finishing in 5th place in Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge and 6th place in Reistadløpet. I am also happy with reaching 6th place in the overall Ski Classics, despite having the top 5 as the goal for the season. But unfortunately, I also had some fewer good moments. I finished Marcialonga, Jizerská Padesátka, and Ylläs-Levi in the 15th position, thus being my worst moments and worst results of the season.”
How is your summer training going? How has been the integration into Team Eksjöhus?
“The summer training is going well. After four weeks of forest planting, I am now focusing on more specific training. For example, longer sessions on rollerskis, cycling, and running. (In June) I was in Eksjö at the team’s first camp of the season. It is nice to train in Eksjö, and we focus on longer sessions 4-5 hours double poling, running intervals, and some mountain biking. We have also been on a very nice visit to our main sponsor, Eksjöhus, at the house factory. Then I will participate in some rollerski races later in the summer and in the autumn.”
You changed from traditional cross-country to long-distance skiing. Can you tell us why you decided to focus on Ski Classics?
“I have always been better at longer distances and classic technique. Classic style races with a distance between 10 and 30 kilometers were my favorite kind of competition before I decided to change to long-distance skiing. And I wanted to ski Vasaloppet.”
“The best thing about Ski Classics is that there are very nice and varied courses in nice places. I also like that a lot can happen during the races due to the longer distances, like the sprints and the climbs that make the race very exciting. I also think managing energy intake makes the races more interesting.”
What are the goals for next season? And what are the goals for your career?
“My goal is to finish within the top 5 and to try to keep a consistently high level over the season. I also hope to take my first podium place in Ski Classics. My long-term goal for my career is to try to win some races in Ski Classics.”
Other than sports, how will you spend your summer?
“In addition to competitions and training camps with the team, I will, among other things, spend a week in my hometown Saxnäs/Marsfjäll to meet relatives and friends, and I will take the opportunity to be at home in Östersund as well. I am looking forward to the season with Team Eksjöhus. it feels good to be part of the team.”
