As the Ski Classics season continues, Team Eksjöhus has become a leading Pro Team, achieving excellent results that have caught everyone’s attention in the long-distance skiing scene. Team Eksjöhus is currently leading the Pro Team competition, with several top individual performances showing how good their strategy and training methods are. 

Also Read: Ski Classics Standings after Grönklitt weeekend

Their coach, Marthe Kristoffersen, has helped them improve a lot. She uses her experience as a former top athlete to guide the Pro Team through tough competitions, assisting every skier in doing their best. The team’s success this season shows how well Marthe Kristoffersen can bring out the best in each athlete and make the team work well together.

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Reflecting on the overall performance of her athletes, Marthe Kristoffersen attributes their victories and podium finishes to more than just seasonal preparation. 

“The results we see, podium and victories, is the result of a really good training season from many years, and now this year from May – now,” she explains. The foundation of their success, as Kristoffersen points out, is a strong group dynamic focused on collective improvement and leveraging individual strengths. “We have built a strong group and focused on some things we wanted to improve and things I thought were good for them to raise their level!” 

Marthe Kristoffersen’s journey as an athlete significantly shapes her leadership style and coaching philosophy. She acknowledges the diverse coaching styles and training methodologies she encountered during her career, noting, “I have learned a lot during my career, had many different coaches, and tried a lot of different training.” 

This variety of experiences has formed her holistic approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of understanding each athlete’s unique qualities and needs. “But I think it is good to see what kind of athletes everybody is and the qualities they have! And then make it even better,” she states, highlighting her strategy to enhance her team’s individual and collective capabilities.

Under Kristoffersen’s guidance, Team Eksjöhus has not only achieved remarkable results but has also seen significant development in the physical qualities targeted in their training goals. Kristoffersen takes pride in these accomplishments, viewing them as collective victories for both the athletes and the coaching staff. 

“We have had many good results, and I wish the athletes that. But for my part, we have managed to develop several physical qualities that we wanted last spring and set ourselves as a goal,” she remarks, underscoring the importance of setting and achieving targeted objectives.

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The importance of individualized training

A key component of Marthe Kristoffersen’s coaching methodology is emphasizing individualized training within a team context. She believes in understanding each athlete’s specific characteristics, strengths, and areas for development. 

“You have to get to know each individual performer. What characteristics do they have, what do they respond to, and what should they develop,” Kristoffersen advises, pointing out that not all team members are at the same level across all aspects of training. This individualized approach does not detract from the team’s unity; instead, it strengthens the collective by enhancing each member’s contribution to the team’s success.

Marthe Kristoffersen’s transition from an accomplished athlete to a visionary coach is a testament to her profound understanding of the sport and what it takes to excel at the highest levels. Her ability to blend individualized attention with a strong team spirit underlines the multifaceted role of a coach in shaping athletes’ careers. 

As Team Eksjöhus continues to ascend the ranks in long-distance skiing, Marthe Kristoffersen’s leadership and philosophy will undoubtedly be pivotal in guiding them to further success.

Ski Classics Season XV 

Next up is Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 3. The 90-kilometer long-distance skiing race in classic technique marks the eleventh Ski Classics stage of Season XV. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com