Mattis Stenshagen talks about his Christmas training isolation. Stenshagen has left behind his partner, family, and friends, given up Christmas food and social gatherings, and moved to a cabin for New Year’s. All this to avoid illness in the brutal fight for a single spot on the Norwegian World Championship team.

“Christmas and New Year’s will be an ascetic life in the cabin at Skeikampen, with few people around and lots of training. I’m terrified of getting sick,” Mattis Stenshagen tells Langrenn.com.

The 28-year-old from Gausdal is following an extreme program throughout the holiday season. Not even his partner is allowed in the cabin.

“No. It’s too risky, so I’ll be alone until after the holidays. But we’ll see—if she’s been in quarantine for a few days after Christmas Eve and has a negative Covid test…”

Is it lonely to sit alone, avoiding people while you see and hear others celebrating with their loved ones?

“I just feel more motivated. I think it’s a sign of how serious you are when you accept the consequences of the goals you’ve set. And I was well rewarded for this last year”, he continues.

Stenshagen pauses for a moment.

“But Christmas Eve is a bit special. I train twice, like every other day, and the first session is fine. But the second session feels a bit odd when it’s dark outside, and I glide past cabins where families are gathered, people are sitting around the Christmas table, or gifts are opened by the fire, and I’m out training. That’s when it feels a bit strange to be alone,” he says.

Stenshagen Christmas Training Isolation – An Ascetic Life and Simple Meals

What was on the menu for Christmas Eve?
“Rice and chicken. Need to replenish for the next session.”

So, no Christmas food?
“No… Not the traditional Christmas dinner. But pickles are good, and with lefse and coarse mustard, it becomes a real Gausdal kebab. And then I treat myself to some soda, then.”

Stenshagen followed the same routine through Christmas and New Year’s last year, emerging from the second round as the leader of the Scandinavian Cup with a free spot in the World Cup for the rest of the season. This year, even more is at stake. Despite being left out of the Tour de Ski, his dream of competing in the World Championship on home soil in Trondheim is still alive.

“I have a goal to make it to the World Championship. It’s a choice I’ve made and one I’m willing to face the consequences of. A professional sports career is short, and this kind of dedication is only necessary for a few years,” he says.

See also: Stenshagen unstoppable at the classic race in Olos/Muonio

Originally Planned Travel After Christmas

Initially, Stenshagen, who competes for the private Team Swix, planned to end his cabin isolation early during the holidays to travel to Italy for the Tour de Ski. However, shortly before Christmas, he received the news that he was again left out of the Tour team.

Read more: Norwegian champion left out of Ruka

As a result, he will remain in the cabin until traveling to Gällivare shortly after New Year’s for the second round of the Scandinavian Cup. He will then prepare for the Norwegian Championships (NM) in Gåsbu from January 16–19.

“The competition is getting quite tight in most World Championship distances now. But there’s probably still an open spot in the 10-kilometer classic. So, it’s crucial to perform well in the classic races during NM at Gåsbu in January,” says Mattis Stenshagen.

His ambition is to stand as the Norwegian champion, lead the Scandinavian Cup, and secure a spot in the World Championship team when the final squad is announced on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

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