Harald Østberg Amundsen (NOR) arrived at the World Cup opener in Ruka as the owner of the big crystal ball. He left with two podiums - a second place in the 10-kilomter classic and a victory in the 20-kilometer skate race - and the yellow overall leader bib.
And after the second race weekend and two more podiums (a third place in the 10-kilometer skate race and a victory in the 20-kilometer skiathlon in Lillehammer) on his resume, the 26-year-old Norwegian is already leading the 2025 overall World Cup by more than 100 points.
“It’s just crazy. I can’t even believe it’s true,” Amundsen says after the last race at Lillehammer.
But behind the race face, is a soft-spoken human.
Amundsen is quick to admit that he’s one to be nervous. A lot. And the World Cup in Lillehammer was particularly nerve-wrecking: The race schedule featured three events that are on the schedule for the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, and thus are hugely important for the team selection to the championships in March.
“I nailed my race tactics, and I felt unbeatable. I had a lot of energy and pulled off a crazy good race, I almost can’t believe it. I had such amazing skis, and to feel so confident is just awesome,” Amundsen says in the mixed zone after the final race of the Lillehammer weekend.
“Prior to the 20-kilometer in Lillehammer, I was so nervous and sick to my stomach that I threw up a lot. But it feels so great to get such an amazing start to the season,” Amundsen reveals.
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Photo by: Nordic Focus
Amundsen is not the only Team Madshus racer who loves the podium. Over past week, fellow Madshus athletes collected no less than 12 podiums, including three victories.
At the IBU World Cup, Endre Strømsheim (NOR) claimed his first victory of the season, the second of his career, winning the short individual in Kontiolahti (FIN) on Tuesday. At the same event, Sturla Holm Lægreid (NOR) snagged third place.
Then Emilien Jacquelin (FRA) bags his first World Cup victory for the season - the fourth in his career - in the sprint on Saturday.
Finally, Lægreid caps off the World Cup opener with another third place in the first mass start of the season.
At the FIS World Cup in Lillehammer, Amundsen takes home to podiums as mentioned above, as well as the yellow bib as the overall World Cup leader.
Additionally, Ben Ogden (USA) was first in the sprint qualifier at the World Cup in Lillehammer.
By Inge Scheve
Photo by: Nordic Focus