Amund Riege is 21 years old and competed for Pro Team Rustad IL Oslo last season. He has been part of the main group far into many competitions that he has attended and is a man who can break through and has very good potential.

Riege’s best place in this year’s Ski Classics was 13th place in Jizerská50 and 21st in Vasaloppet, showing his talent.

Pro Tour Skier and Student 

“I am a skier who comes from Rustad in Oslo. At the moment, however, I live in Trondheim, where I study economics at NTNU. The weekdays are thus mostly spent in training and school work, and I thought it was nice to have something to focus on next to the training. In Trondheim, there are also several skiers from Rustad who study, so it is a good training environment.”

“As I have tried various long-distance skiing, I have gained a sense of both the competitions and the training that goes with it. I still participate in some traditional races, but I think my potential is greater in long-distance skiing,” says Amund Riege.

Riege combined football and cross-country skiing in Rustad until middle school age. From there, cross-country skiing has been in focus. Like most cross-country skiers, he was probably best without a ball, so then it probably made sense to choose cross-country, says Amund.

“I was introduced to long-distance skiing already as last year’s junior through the long-distance skiing team of Rustad, Team Rustad IL Oslo. I got the opportunity to go several of the big long races, and it was fun to try new challenges.”

“As a senior, it has only become more and more long-distance skiing, and I have had good development over the last two years. 13th place in Jizerska is currently the highest I have been on the results list, but 21st place in Vasaloppet was perhaps an equally good ski race.”

Now Amund takes new steps into the strong Team Ramudden. Everyday life does not change significantly, but the young boy warns of further sharpening towards long-distance skiing and double poling in the training program.

“The last two years, I have gradually completed more double poling in the training program, and it will probably be even more this year. At the same time, I think it is wise to build up to avoid injuries.”

“I envision that it will be a long run for the rest of my career, so, naturally, there will be more and more double poling going forward,” says the new signing to Team Ramudden.

“The goal is to develop to be the best possible constantly. Whether I will be good enough to win long-distance skiing races remains to be seen, but I will give it an honest try.”

“I have almost always been relatively fast, and it has helped me be able to be with the main group in the long races for a while. At the same time, I have noticed this year that I am struggling more towards the end of the races. If I want to be right up to the finish line, I will probably have to strengthen my arms a little more and increase the amount of training a bit. There is a good space for improvement concerning those I compete against,” Amund smiles.

Looking Forward To A New Team, But Sticking To Something Familiar 

Team Ramudden has a solid and professional approach with a capable support system. The athletes maintain an extremely high level, and the training methods are interesting.

“I will continue to train and plan with Morten Tomter in Rustad when it comes to the overall planning and structure. He has been a big part of my development in recent years and is the one who knows me best. It will be a security to have him there also in the future. At the same time, it will be instructive to be with a team as strong as Ramudden in the coming years.”

The first gathering for Team Ramudden will be in mid-June, with the Ski Classics Challengers Totenrullen as part of the program. In addition, there will be several rollerski races in August and a gathering in October before the start of the season.

“The plan is about to be laid, and I am looking forward to what comes next. I promise that I will do the job properly to take new steps and develop further. Then I hope to climb the results lists in Ski Classics both for the winter and the years to come,” concludes the young Amund Riege.