“I had actually retired and happened to join Team XPND Fuel with the legend Tord Asle Gjerdalen by chance. When I restarted after a year without competitions, I was probably at a level where I would have finished around 200-300th in Vasaloppet,” says Thomas Ødegaarden, one of last season’s major breakthrough skiers.

“I did Marcialonga and Vasaloppet in 2020 and realized this was something I wanted to pursue. And Gjerdalen’s legendary training philosophy was completely new. He taught us the opposite of what you learn when you are young. We can call it ‘cowboy training,’ and it worked for me. You have to push harder than you think you can. Some people can handle it, and some can’t. Tord Asle’s training was perhaps double what I did as a traditional skier.”

Beating the Master

For Thomas Ødegaarden, this was the path to success and a spot on the Pro Team that won the Ski Classics Pro Team Competition last season, Team Eksjöhus.
He was part of the decisive break early in Vasaloppet, finishing in a strong 4th place. But already in 2023, he secured a 2nd place finish in the 30 km 3-Zinnen race in Pustertal, Italy. Behind the dominant Emil Persson but ahead of his mentor, Gjerdalen.

“The natural goal is to win this winter since I have been 2nd and 3rd before. But it’s tough, and there are many strong competitors,” says Thomas Ødegaarden.

He also hopes, in the long run, to compete for the Yellow bib and win the entire Ski Classics.

“I fought against Andreas Nygaard for the last podium spot in the final at Janteloppet last winter. It was huge because, when I started, he and Tord Asle were the big heroes.”

Read more: Revealing the dialogue: “You have a chance at the 50km”

Marcialonga is the Biggest

Even though he was close to winning Vasaloppet, it is not his biggest goal.

“No, the biggest goal is to win Marcialonga. That’s the one for me, the greatest race. I learned that from Gjerdalen. You are complete if you win there. The atmosphere is also special.”

Thomas explains how he plans to finish in the final Cascata climb to the goal in Cavalese. He aims not to make the same tactical mistake as last time, when he finished 4th in Runar Skaug Mathisen’s triumph.

“I also think Marcialonga is the race I could win first. It suits me, especially with the final climb to the finish.”

Thomas Ødegaarden also believes he has a shot at winning the Norwegian races.

“Birken is also a big goal, and I’ve been very close in races in Northern Norway,” he says.

Proved Something at Vasaloppet

When Thomas broke away at the beginning of Vasaloppet last winter with Alvar Myhlback, Torleif Syrstad, and Johan Hoel, no one thought they would make it all the way to Mora.

“I proved to myself that I can also perform well at Vasaloppet. It surprised me because I haven’t been that strong at double-poling. Maybe it was the most fun race I’ve done, but the plan wasn’t for the break to hold until the finish. My job was actually to help Axel Jutterström,” says Thomas.

“But we played our cards well in the lead group, and when we had five minutes at Evertsberg, I started to believe it. I also felt it was easier to lead because a thin layer of ice on top of the snow made it glide well.”

From Eldris to the finish, though, it was all about Torleif Syrstad and Lager 157 Ski Team.

“He was on another level that day, and his equipment was excellent. For me, it was about trying to hold off the chasers,” says the Team Eksjöhus skier, who finished just over four minutes behind the dominant Syrstad, who won by three minutes and 55 seconds.

Never Became a Football Player

Thomas Ødegaarden was on track to become a football player. But that career had to give way to cross-country skiing, even though Bamble and the coastal areas of Telemark may not be known as the biggest ski hubs in our country.

“But we have a cabin in Gautefall, and I skied a lot there. I trained in biathlon alone and always competed against my brother. As a football player, I probably would never have been better than a 3rd or 4th division player,” says Thomas today.

He began competing in Stathelle, but without significant success, he quit. A year later, he suddenly found himself with the legend Tord Asle Gjerdalen and discovered that long-distance skiing was his thing.

Now he is waiting for his first Ski Classics victory, and he hopes it comes in a race with many climbs.

“I am light and train a lot uphill. I try to make it my weapon, it’s my natural strength. So, in winter, I feel I have an advantage in the climbs, especially if I have good skis,” he says.

Thomas still lives at home with his parents, and he lives for skiing. He won’t become a millionaire, but he knows you can make a living from it if you succeed and are wise with your money.

“What I earn goes straight into my young savings account for housing. Winning the youth jersey in Ski Classics added a bit to that,” he says with a laugh.

Now he can’t wait for December and the Ski Classics premiere in Bad Gastein. Not only for the chance to compete for victory but also to see his girlfriend again.
She is French and competes in long-distance skiing for Team Nordic Experience. Her name is Laurie Flochon.

See the new season of Ski or Die on SC Play now