New Year’s Talk With Kati Roivas

by Leandro Lutz • 01.01.2023
Happy New Year to all ProXCskiing readers and fans! 2023 has just begun, and today we chatted with Pro Tour skier Kati Roivas from Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso.

In a relaxed chat, ProXCskiing talked with Kati Roivas, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, about her season preparations, first races of Ski Classics Season XIV, plans for the upcoming events, and of course, whether to have a workout or not on New Year’s day. 

The 28-years young Kati Roivas is an experienced Finnish skier, both as a Pro Tour athlete and in traditional cross-country skiing. 

With 17 Ski Classics Pro Tour and 3 Ski Classics Challengers starts, including her best results, 8th place at La Diagonela (Season XII) and Bad Gastein Criterium (Season XIV), Roivas is currently 8th place in the Yellow Champion competition Season XIV with 279 points.   

Kati Roivas, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, during Bad Gastein Criterium Season XIV. Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus.

Now that you know a little more about Kati enjoy this New Year’s chat!

Happy New Year, and congratulations on your Ski Classics competitions in December. Watching the first long-distance skiing races, we noticed that you are training hard and are ready for the remaining events of Ski Classics Season XIV. How were your first races in December?

“Thank you! Looking back at the first races of the season, I am satisfied. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but I am pretty happy with the two top 10 (8th at Bad Gastein Criterium and 9th at La Venosta Criterium) and the fact that I was able to fight for even better positions. I did not feel that I am in my best shape yet, so I hope that I can do even better in January.” 

Kati Roivas, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, during Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo. Photo: Magnus Östh/Ski Classics.

And how was your preparation for the winter season? Did everything go according to plan?

“Training season went well without any major illnesses or injuries. There were some changes to the training approach this year, and it seems like it has suited me well. I also had great training camps with the team, and it was motivating to get to do some harder intervals together – both on rollerskis and skis,” says Roivas and continues: 

“After getting back from La Venosta, it has been a little challenging with the snow conditions here in France, but I have been able to do my main workouts as planned, and I am traveling to Livigno next weekend to adjust to the altitude and get some good training before Pustertaler and Prato Piazza.” 

You are an experienced skier in long-distance skiing and, in previous years, also a strong traditional cross-country skier. In your opinion, is traditional cross-country skiing a complement to long-distance skiing races, or is it challenging to combine both during the winter season?

“There are not so many off-weekends from Ski Classics competitions during the season, so it can be hard to fit any traditional distance races into the calendar. I think at the beginning of the season and during Christmas break, shorter races could serve as a great training, but personally, I prefer to do good training periods between the races and minimize traveling.” 

And now 2023 has arrived. On January 1, do you like to have a New Year’s workout, or do you like to stay at home with your family and friends and relax?

“I always prefer a workout to an off day, so definitely a workout!” 

So, you are an active skier on New Year’s Day. What’s your training routine and your favorite workout on this special day?

“It depends from year to year, depending on what my training plan says and how the upcoming race calendar looks like. Now I am doing a volume block with some intensities before the races in January, so I will just go for a nice and easy long session, hopefully with some sunshine and minus degrees!” 

And as it could not be missing, New Year’s Day is a time for reflection and plans. What are your resolutions and wishes for 2023?

Athletically, 2022 was a good year, and I was able to take steps forward as a skier. For 2023, I wish to stay healthy and to keep chasing my limits as a long-distance skier. I aim for the top 5. And some snow! We have had a really warm and rainy weather the whole Christmas break, so real winter conditions would be more than welcome,” concludes Kati Roivas. 

Kati Roivas, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, after the Sprint checkpoint at the Bad Gastein Criterium. Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus.

The upcoming Ski Classics Pro Tour event is Pustertaler Ski Marathon, a 62km classic technique event in Italy on January 14, followed by Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, a 30km race also in Italy on January 15, 2023.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

  • Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
  • Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
  • Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
  • Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
  • Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 30km
  • Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 55km 
  • Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
  • Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
  • Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
  • Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
  • Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
  • Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
  • Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
  • Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More info about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.

Happy New Year!

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