Excitement at the International Junior Camp 2024

International Junior Camp 2024

Date: August 14, 2024
Discipline: Cross-Country

The Equinor International Junior Camp held in Sjusjøen was a vibrant celebration of cross-country skiing, skill enhancement, and cultural exchange.
Last week marked the 13th edition of this prestigious camp, which brought together a total of 98 aspiring skiers from 15 different nations. "It’s been a wonderful week in this stunning location, perfectly suited for a camp that bridges national boundaries," says Brit Baldishol, head of grassroots development at the Norwegian Ski Federation's cross-country section and the camp organizer.

Baldishol continues, "Everywhere I look, there’s joy for cross-country skiing. The schedule includes sprint sessions, long runs, roller skiing, technique drills, bounding intervals, and, of course, plenty of social activities in the afternoons and evenings. So many thrilling activities are happening here, allowing us to get to know each other better across borders. It’s vital to learn about varying training cultures and what others focus on. We all share the goal of improving our skiing skills."

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
This camp is specifically designed for athletes transitioning into elite sports—potential future World Cup stars. Baldishol expresses gratitude for the support from FIS, which has provided funding to include athletes from developing nations and Para athletes, enabling broader participation.

Anne Ragnhild Kroken, the Para program coordinator, adds, "The Para athletes have engaged on equal footing with their fellow skiers, following the same program but with minor adjustments as necessary." She notes that the Para athletes have found this experience invaluable, particularly enjoying the joint training sessions with able-bodied competitors. "We aim to integrate Para athletes into the ski community seamlessly, and initiatives like this camp are a step in the right direction," says Kroken.

This year's camp was graced by prominent figures in the sport. "Tiril and Lotta Udnes Weng visited earlier in the week, sharing their wisdom with young athletes. We were also honored to host Paralympic icon Brian McKeever, a 17-time medalist who generously shared his insights. Other guests included Sjur Røthe and Sjur Ole Svarstad, while Dr. Remi Andersen discussed the crucial topic of sleep. World Championship director Åge Skinstad also stopped by. I am incredibly thankful that numerous champions have taken the time to engage with junior skiers from 15 nations and around 30 coaches," Baldishol mentions.

Reflecting on their own camp experiences, Tiril and Lotta Udnes Weng say, "We participated in this camp as juniors ourselves and clearly remember how inspiring it was to see national team skiers among us. It pushes us to achieve similar success. Witnessing cross-country enthusiasts from around the globe training together is truly motivating. Many of those we train with now in the World Cup were once camp peers, and after ten years, maybe we have some advice to share ourselves!"

See also:
- Cross-Country
- Para Cross-Country