The young woman from Fossum has been making waves, impressing coaches, competitors, and experts alike, and is considered one of Norway’s most promising young talents. This acclaim is well-deserved and puts her in contention for the World Championship in Trondheim.

Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs burst onto the scene during last year’s season opener at Beitostølen. There, the emerging national team star secured fifth, seventh, and tenth places, and earned a spot in the national team for the World Cup opener in Ruka the following week.

She seized this opportunity wholeheartedly, remaining in the national team for the rest of the season. Few others in the team competed in as many World Cup races as Fosnæs.

Her development has been remarkable. From the start of the season until April, Fosnæs made significant strides both physically and tactically. Over the winter, she achieved four top 10 finishes in World Cup events. Additionally, Fosnæs was one of the few Norwegian women to complete the entire Tour de Ski this winter.

After 26 World Cup races, she has seven top 10 finishes from her first full season at the highest level and a spot on the elite national team for the 2024/25 season.

Now, the 24-year-old is emerging as one of Norway’s strongest medal prospects for the World Championships in Trondheim.

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In Top Form – and Still Has More to Give

This summer, Fosnæs has continued to improve. At the Blink Festival, she secured fourth place in Lysebotn Opp and third in the 10km mass start, and recently finished second overall at Toppidrettsveka. Only Swedish World Championship queen Ebba Andersson placed above her in the results in Trondheim.

Despite her success, Fosnæs remains grounded and cautious about reading too much into her summer results in the World Championship tracks at Granåsen.

“I’m taking with me that there’s been a lot of good stuff this summer, but winter is still a long way off,” Fosnæs told Langrenn.com after finishing at Toppidrettsveka.

How have you planned your season preparation and dryland training this year compared to previous seasons?

“I was at altitude this summer. I haven’t done that before. We also focused more on periodization, with intense sessions for a period and then a bit more relaxed in other periods. I think that’s the main difference,” she told Langrenn.com/Längd.se during the national team press conference in Livigno this week, and continued:

“I’ve also tried to train a bit more and increase the hours, without overdoing it.”

Read More: The U23 World Champion Made Her Debut At Birkebeinerrennet: “I Respect The Long-Distance Skiers”

You’ve achieved fantastic results in the summer competitions you’ve participated in. Are you worried that you might be in peak form a bit too early this year?

“He he. Yes! But no, or… yes, absolutely. But I feel that I’ve had good control. I feel that in all the races I’ve competed in, I haven’t let up on training or anything, so I believe I have more to give. That’s the plan, at least. But the results have exceeded expectations in the races I’ve competed in.”

There were two Swedes ahead of you in some of the Toppidrettsveka competitions. What is needed for you to secure first place?

“One must continue to train. I especially noticed that Ebba (Andersson) is significantly better in terms of capacity. But I’ll just keep training and maybe not think too much about Ebba Andersson. I need to ensure my own development, focus on my own steps, and make sure I don’t overreach. But it’s very cool to measure myself against her and to feel that I might be getting closer. That gives inspiration.”

Read more: Ebba Andersson wins Toppidrettsveka pursuit race

Based on the summer results, you are the Norwegian skier with the best results. How do you view your chances of securing a spot on the World Championship team in Trondheim?

“Well… I’ve never been close to anything like that… So, I see qualifying for that team as a very, very big bonus. I’m mostly focused on following my development path. We’ll see how it goes. I dream a bit about competing at the World Championships at home, but I’m taking it as it comes. But of course, I think about it a bit.”

Have you had any particular focus for your training this summer, beyond trying out altitude training?

“It’s primarily been about volume training. But I felt I was in good shape when I went to altitude. So, it felt very fitting to come down here and train carefully, with everything being very precise. That’s been the focus. Now, the focus is to finish the camp without being too exhausted so I can go home and train more. That’s what the last few days are about for me,” says Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs.

The women’s national team went on an altitude camp to Livigno, Italy, on August 22, right after Toppidrettsveka. The altitude camp concludes on September 6.

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