By Inge Scheve
The short answer: He's passionate about riffs and licks. But there is more to it than that.
Madshus caught up with Sturla Holm Lægreid as he is heading into the meat of the fall training.
This winter, the 27-year-old from Bærum, just outside Oslo (NOR), took home one gold medal and two silver medals form the 2024 World Championships in Nove Mesto (CZE), as well as two individual World Cup victories.
Looking back at the 2024 season, can you give us a quick summary of “the good, the bad and the ugly”?
“Obviously, ‘the good’ was the gold medal in the sprint at the World Championships in Nove Mesto (CZE). That was insane, and it was really inspiring for me to see that I was able to pull that off with all that I had been through. That medal turned my whole season into a good one. Nailing a double victory at the World Cup on home snow in Holmenkollen (NOR) right after the Worlds was a huge bonus, and a confirmation of what I’m capable of,” says Lægreid, and continues:
“For me, ‘the bad’ was coming into the season with a lot of insecurity after several bouts of illness in the fall. It wasn’t until December that I felt like I was back on track. And that’s when I had the accident with a bullet going off inside the hotel – which was of course ‘the ugly.’ That felt really bad right there, but for me, the worst part was waiting so long before I was given my final penalty. Trying to compete week after week while not knowing whether it would be the last race I did this season, was really stressful.”
Story continues below
Photo by: Nordic Focus
Speaking of stress: Do you have a way to relax and disconnect from training and racing?
“Yes, of course! My big thing is my guitar. When I pull out my guitar, I can totally immerse myself in playing. You have to be fully into it in when you’re playing. It doesn’t work to have your head somewhere else. So, I try to bring it just about everywhere and all the time.”
How important is your guitar to you?
“I’d say it means everything. I’m the kind of guy who needs a few more things to focus on other than just training and racing. When I play my guitar, I’m back to my ‘rock star project,’ where my only task is to improve at playing. I also think it makes me a better biathlete. It’s important to have a way to get away from the sport, have an arena where I don’t have to perform, where I can get a breather and just be Sturla.”
You travel a lot all year round: How do you manage to bring the guitar?
“Funny you ask. There’s a cabinet maker in Lillehammer who’s specializing in guitars. So, I had him make me a guitar that fits inside my weapon case, next to my biathlon rifle. I just brought down the rifle case, he took some measurements, and made me a guitar that fits perfectly inside the box. It’s super convenient for traveling.”
Story continues below
Photo by: Submitted
And finally: What are your goals for the upcoming season and the future?
“For this season, it’s the World Championships in Lenzerheide (SUI), but I’m also thinking ahead to the 2026 season and the Olympics in Milan/Cortina. I have a relay medal from my first Winter Games, the. 2022 Olympics in Beijing, but I would really like to earn an individual medal. Then there’s the World Cup. Winning the big crystal globe is an even harder task the way things have been there the past seasons. It’s not impossible, but all the stars and the planets have to align for me to win the overall World Cup. So, that remains my big hairy goal.”
On August 2 and 3, Sturla Holm Lægreid is ready for the international rollerski festival Blink in Sandnes (NOR). While the races are just fun and games, the events attract most of the World Cup elite from all the major national teams. Accordingly, Blink serves as an initial reality check, an important benchmark for where he’s at heading into the last few months of training.
Photo by: Nordic Focus