Madshus racer John Kristian Dahl (NOR) stepped back onto the start line with a bib at the Beitostoelen season opener races this week. But this time, Dahl is racing as a part of the marathon team United Bakeries. Dahl, who came off the Norwegian national sprint team just this spring, has had his work cut out for him leading up to the season.
“I have put a lot of effort into double-poling, and I’ve had to take it gradually, but I feel that ive made a lot of progress too,” Dahl says.
He is also excited about building a whole new quiver of skis and gear for his new pursuit.
“Marathon skiing is going to require different skis than what I’ve used in sprint racing,” Dahl says, adding that he’s extremely excited about the new REDLINE skis.“The REDLINE skis are no less than a revolution. They’re so light and so responsive,” Dahl says.
“With the REDLINE skis, Madshus has managed to build a ski that both has extreme glide and at the same time its super easy to get great kick,” he explains.
With the Swix Ski Classics being Dahls main focus for the season, he’ll need a pair of classic skis that do well without wax too, he recons. “And there will be a lot less use for all the skate skis,” he says with a laugh.
Dahl delivered an impressive fourth place in the 15K skate event at Beitostoelen Saturday.