When the Pro Team athletes and World Cup cross-country skiers met at the opening event of Toppidrettsveka yesterday evening, there was one excited debutant on the starting line: Rosie Brennan. 

Rosie Brennan, USA/Team Robinson Trentino, the 34-year-old North American from Park City, Utah, has almost 15 years of experience in the World Cup, including two Winter Olympics and five World Championships. Yesterday was not only the first time she has participated in Toppidrettsveka, but the 54km race was her career’s very first roller ski race. 

There are a few reasons why Brennan chose to participate in the Norwegian roller skiing festival this year, which started with a 54-kilometer cross-country race at Hitra, and that Rosie finished in the 3rd position, just behind Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, and Tiril Udnes Weng, Norway/Nes Ski. 

Also Read: Øyre Slind and Riege winners on the first day of Toppidrettsveka 2023 

Training for the 50km

One reason is that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has decided that women and men will ski the exact distances at all levels, including major championship competitions. It was introduced at the World Cup last winter, and Brennan was one of those who skied the 50km in Holmenkollen in March. It was the first time the women raced that distance in the World Cup, and she thinks it won’t be the last. 

Brennan started the long-distance race at Toppidrettsveka, and in her words, “It is good to ski 50 kilometers. I hope to become more comfortable with that distance,” she says to Langrenn.com. 

Testing the World Championships tracks

The second reason is that Brennan is in the area anyway. She has just taken part in the Norwegian national team camp in Trondheim to test run the tracks that will be used during the World Championships in a year and a half and to get new motivation in training.

“It is very nice to do something new. I’ve been in the game for a long time and have done the same thing year after year, so it’s nice to do something that challenges me and gives me inspiration. It is always fun and inspiring to experience new places, and not least to train with (the Norwegian) girls. I am very grateful that I was allowed to participate in the training session with the Norwegian national team,” says Brennan. 

During the camp, she and the Norwegian national team had several sessions on the roller skiing tracks in Granåsen. 

The North American veteran is impressed by the World Championships courses and finds the tracks fun but demanding.  

“I like the tracks very much. The downhills are a bit technical for me, but it’s good to be here and test the slopes a bit,” says Brennan.

After the long-distance race at Hitra on Wednesday evening, the American travels to Sweden and, on Saturday, takes part in another roller ski race: the Inge Bråten Memorial in Sunne, just outside Torsby, Sweden. Then follows a ten-day training camp in Torsby with the American national team. 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more.