When the national team for the upcoming season is announced, it is highly likely that Didrik Tønseth will not be included. However, the 33-year-old from Byåsen IL remains motivated to continue his career.

“I’m eager for at least one more year,” Tønseth told Adresseavisen.

“Now, it’s about figuring out which team I will be part of and getting everything in place. Waxing is a big challenge, and that doesn’t make things easier. But I’m motivated and know that I can compete at the top when everything aligns,” he said.

The clear highlight of the upcoming season is the 2026 Olympics in Milan/Cortina.

A Thin Season

This winter, Tønseth has few standout results to his name. The 33-year-old has competed in three World Cup races, with his best result being a third-place finish in the 20km race in Engadin in January. In Lillehammer in December, he placed 12th and 31st. He also secured two third-place finishes in the Scandinavian Cup and a seventh place at the Norwegian Championships (NM) in Gåsbu in January.

At NM part two last weekend, Tønseth needed top individual results to secure his spot on the national team. He won gold in the team sprint with Klæbo, just like last year. However, he finished 18th in the 10km race and chose to skip the 50km event.

Tønseth says he has yet to hear from the national team leadership but acknowledges that other athletes might have stronger cases for selection.

“I haven’t heard anything yet, and the leadership is still figuring things out. I think Jan Thomas Jenssen will get a spot.”

Jenssen, who races for Team Elon Midt-Norge, finished fourth at the World Championships, just millimeters from a medal, and has three World Cup podium finishes.

Meanwhile, young skiers Andreas Fjorden Ree, Matz William Jenssen, and Oskar Opstad Vike are pushing for national team spots. Tønseth’s situation is further complicated by the federation’s decision to shut down the junior and development teams next season.

Deserved More Opportunities

Tønseth believes he should have been given more chances to prove himself this winter.

He points out that the federation could have exercised discretion, as allowed under the selection criteria outlined in the Season Information.

“Yes, I think so. But I had a difficult start to the winter. At the same time, once I showed good form, I hoped I would get to race more,” he said.

Considered Retiring

When it became clear that he would miss out on the World Championships in Trondheim, Tønseth was open to retiring or switching sports. However, after NM part two in Hovden, the 33-year-old has decided to continue competing in cross-country skiing—despite almost certainly losing his national team spot.

“Now, it’s about figuring out which team I will be part of and getting everything in place. Waxing is a big challenge, and that doesn’t make things easier. But I’m motivated and know that I can compete at the top when everything aligns.”

Repeatedly Dropped

This is not the first time the Byåsen IL veteran has been cut from the national team, only to fight his way back into the World Cup and championship squads. After the 2020/21 season, Tønseth lost his spot on the elite team but earned his way back the following season.

During the season he competed independently, he assembled a strong support team, including former national team coach Trond Nystad and his longtime mentor Einar Moxnes.

In 2023, Tønseth was initially cut but then reinstated a few days later, following the retirement of Hans Christer Holund and Klæbo’s protest departure from the national team. Klæbo’s protest was partly driven by his dissatisfaction with how the federation treated his national team teammates.

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