In his hometown of Asker, Norway, Harald Østberg Amundsen combines quiet embraces of nature with a relentless training ethic—on the very trails where he grew up. After an outstanding 2024/25 season, he’s now setting his sights even higher, aiming at the major championships that lie ahead. Whether on roller skis, running, or biking, the hours are put in. Between intervals and recovery, ambition fuels him to turn promise into dominance. He embodies a gradual transformation: early talent, then increasingly refined performance across classic and skate techniques, supported by a serious, professional mindset.
“When I joined the national team, skating and skating individual start were what I excelled at, but this year I suddenly have podium placements in both classic and skate sprints, and I have World Cup victories in both skating and classic on distance, so I’ve taken big steps forward.”
What Changed: From Very Good to the Very Best
Amundsen credits his rise to a focus on the small margins, the everyday improvements, and the accumulation of experience under pressure.
“I believe it’s the little things overall that have allowed me to develop significantly in styles and disciplines I wasn’t as proficient in before.”
“Perhaps that's what sets apart a national team athlete who competes in World Cup races almost every weekend from one who doesn't. You have to learn to withstand that strain.”
His mental approach stands out: rather than letting uncontrollables distract him, he zeroes in on what he can do.
He also engages in targeted mental training, combining playful challenge with elite focus.
“I have been working a lot on pushing limits. I went skydiving, among other things. That was a lot of fun. Then, towards the end of the season, we talked a lot about how to really muster the strength for the final ski races even when you're tired, and how to maintain the lead so I could win the overall World Cup.”
“I'm diligent about being well-prepared. I really believe in that, and I see that it’s working.”
The Systematic Edge
What makes Amundsen compelling is how little of his success appears left to chance. He trains methodically, analyses performance, builds resilience, and nudges boundaries of both body and mind. He is young—yet his professionalism and mindset belie his years.
In a sport where so many falter under strain, his capacity to maintain focus, to endure waiting, to skip training when needed, to bounce back when things don’t go according to plan—that sets him apart.
At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025 in Trondheim, Norway, Amundsen’s transformation into a top-tier champion was fully realised. His medal haul was both decisive and defining with two individual medals and a gold in the relay.
These results marked a major step: not just achieving success, but doing so consistently across disciplines and formats. In his medal-winning commentary he underlined the value of preparedness and mental sharpness across an entire season.
Looking Ahead
Having proven himself at the World Championships in his home country, Amundsen is now primed for the next phase: beyond podiums, towards dominance. His ambition, as ever, is not merely to win races, but to control seasons. To turn seasons into legacies.
“I believe in the preparation. I see that it’s working.”