In her first season as a national team runner, Juni Arnekleiv has distinguished herself brilliantly. Third place in the sprint in Östersund and the joint start in Ruhpolding are among the highlights for the talented athlete, who has also taken two relay victories with her teammates. In Anterselva on Saturday, another victory came when she was part of the winning team in the mixed relay. There, Arnekleiv had the best cross-country time on his stage. She herself believes that an important reason for the good performances is the skis she uses. Because they have previously heard of the gold wholesaler Marte Olsbu Røiseland. – Here it says “MO” for Marte Olsbu, says Juni Arnekleiv and shows a label on her skis, before she continues: – It says that on all my skis actually, but I also want to be on the skis, so I’ve written my name myself too, says Arnekleiv and laughs. MEDAL WHOLESALER: Marte Olsbu Røiseland. Photo: NTB And it is not without reason that she takes good care of the skis she can now strap on. Because there is often a long queue to get hold of the very best skis in the World Cup circus. But because of a chess move Arnekleiv made a few years ago, she was first in the queue when Røiseland’s skis became available. Because then Arnekleiv changed ski brand. On the advice of Germany’s coach Marte Olsbu Røiseland, she took up biathlon in March 2023. In total she won 13 World Cup golds and three Olympic golds. And those are the skis on which all the golds were won, Juni Arnekleiv has now got them. – I changed ski brands a couple of years before Marte gave up, so that it wouldn’t be so obvious that I wanted to take over Marte’s skis, says Arnekleiv and laughs. – But I am very happy with that choice now, she continued. – Did someone advise you that you should change ski brands? – Yes, it was her dear husband, who was then my trainer, Sverre Olsbu Røiseland. GERMANY COACH: Sverre Olsbu Røiseland. Photo: Rodrigo Freitas / NTB He is now national team coach for the German biathlon women. But at the time he was a coach for the Norwegian recruiting national team where Juni Arnekleiv was. – I remember that there was a discussion at the time about her skiing, and I don’t think she regrets that choice now. She is well suited to Salomon skiing, says Sverre Olsbu Røiseland to news. – You were involved and pulled the strings? – Yes, it could well be, says Røiseland with a very sly smile before he laughs heartily. The women biathletes have been knitting for several generations when they rest. Now news has challenged them to see who can actually master knitting the best. Big difference There is no doubt that the ski itself can make a big difference out on the trail. All skis, and especially the soles on the skis, are slightly different, and the best athletes often have first choice when the factories have produced something good. And having a really good crew is perhaps even more important now than before. – Of course, there is always an advantage. Skiing is important, notes Sverre Olsbu Røiseland, before continuing: – We see that when the lubrication team misses a bit in lubrication, you don’t have a chance. And it is perhaps even more important this year, when you don’t have fluoride lubrication that can compensate for some of the differences. This season, a ban has been introduced against the use of ski wax with fluoride in it. Fluorine has played a major role in achieving good gliding on skis, and with the ban it means that the other factors for good gliding become more important. In other words, it may look as if 24-year-old Arnekleiv’s change of ski brand several years ago has now given her a huge advantage. – I am very lucky to be next in line there. – Chess moves? – Yes, very much, says Arnekleiv and smiles broadly. Mol and Sørum test snow volleyball in the snow chaos 00:55 Was celebrated with a 14-year-old photo after the victory 00:47 Won only days after his girlfriend’s horror fall 00:47 Kayakers shock the cross-country elite with a world record 00:37 Show more
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Reveals the secret behind Juni Arnekleiv’s success – the legacy of Røiseland’s golden skiing – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
