Stadaas moved from traditional cross-country to long-distance skiing before the 2021/2022 season. Then the news came out that he and Joan Hoel had signed for Team Ragde Charge.

The 28-year-old Norwegian represents Sports Team Heming and Team Ragde Charge, has been on the national recruit team and Team Veidekke, and proved himself well in traditional cross-country skiing with a 5th place at the World Cup sprint in Drammen in 2018.

Last season, Kasper won La Diagonela and Årefjällsloppet, and came second at Marcialonga.

A Spring Marked by Covid

“I got started very late with proper training this spring with the after-effects of corona in May. But July and August have been good training months, so now things look brighter,” says Kasper Stadaas.

“The focus has been to build as good a base as possible for the autumn and winter. I must also admit that I have focused more on uphill skiing this summer than in the past. This is simply to get stronger and get a slightly larger repertoire to play on.”

“My goal is always to feel a sense of mastering and achieving development. I have goals and ambitions to build on what I did last year and continue to develop as a long-distance skier. Vasaloppet also often creeps into my mind when I train. The prestige of winning that particular race creates an extra dimension in everyday training,” says Stadaas.

High Amount of Training Every Week

The Team Ragde Charge skier admits an extreme amount of double poling throughout a typical training week. He has also strayed a little from regular Norwegian cross-country training with 4×4 intervals and 3-hour sessions. Now he trains on hardening his arms and head and having a punch in the “engine” when it comes to the sprint.

A regular training week is mainly 20-25 hours of training, some strength, and 2-3 interval sessions. In addition, he runs something he calls the Kamikaze session once a week, where the aim is for it to pay off in the winter.

“I have been at the cabin a lot this summer. There are very good conditions for both training and recreation, which I think keeps up motivation and the quality of the training,” says Stadaas.

“In addition, I went to Chamonix for a few days to run a bit in the mountains and experience a place you have heard so much about when it comes to running culture, nature, and skiing in winter. Raw place and a real Eldorado for someone who likes training in cool natural surroundings.”

After the breakthrough in last year’s debut season as a long-distance skier, there has been a lot of positive feedback from friends and competitors. This is something that Stadaas finds very pleasant and a little overwhelming that so many people are so positive and committed on his behalf.

“Exactly, that is very cool and not least motivating. The competition is sky-high, so I expect the same as always, that you are at your best if you want to be able to fight for the top positions.”

Kasper Stadaas and Ida Dahl Won Engadin La Diagonela

Training Camp

“There is a good atmosphere in the team. We have just been to a camp where we were first in Lyngdal, which offered lovely weather and good training conditions. Local guidance from Thele “The Train” meant that we found steep hills and good terrain for rollerskiing and running. Then we went to Gjendesheim, where we had a good time cycling, running, and hiking in the mountain with what I’m pretty sure is Norway’s fittest group,” smiles Kasper Stadaas.

Sverre Huber Kaas advises the long-distance skiers in their daily training. He has followed Kasper since he was 14 and knows the 28-year-old extremely well. In addition, he trains a lot with Anders, Jørgen, and Magnar in the team.

“There is an insane amount of knowledge and experience in Team Ragde Charge, so for my part, I learn an incredible amount from session to session just by being with the guys and girls on the team.”

“Until the start of the season, there will be a gathering in Lavaze for us. Then we escape from the Norwegian autumn to Mallorca and a pre-camp in Livigno before the first ski races in the Christmas period in Ski Classics. Maybe I’ll join the Beito opening, but I’ll just have to wait and see. Classic with kick wax, sprints, and skating I don’t do anymore, so it will only be if I have the time and desire,” concludes Kasper Stadaas.