Team Pølsa participants impressed – celebrated with "Optimist" and royal visit

The participants of "Team Pølsa" have become TV stars. On Friday, they accomplished their major goal in Granåsen to wild cheers – and a round of ‘Optimist’.

KONGELIG MOTTAKELSE: Trygve, Syver, Peder, Mikkel, and the other participants were honored by both the audience and the crown prince couple.

Photo: Erlend Lånke Solbu / NRK

Journalist Magnus Gamlem reported live from Trondheim.

– It is the craziest thing I have done in my entire life, it was totally wild, summarized Mikkel from the TV series "Team Pølsa" after the group completed their World Championship debut in Granåsen.

The "Dream Day" sent 9,000 schoolchildren and teachers to the World Championship venue, creating a fantastic atmosphere around Norway's new TV heroes.

“Pølsa, Pølsa, Pølsa, Pølsa”! was chanted from the stands as the participants waved to their fans.

– Maybe this is the end of a TV program, but I hope it is the beginning of something outside the screen, Øystein Pettersen told NRK afterwards.

– How do you feel about the audience?

– I mean, how high can a roll of dice go? Seven or eight? It was absolutely fantastic. I have nothing to say. I am so grateful and so proud that people showed up, he said.

Vanskelige forhold

Along the way, the participants had difficulties in the steep downhill section towards the finish. Even World Championship competitors have complained about icy tracks.

Både Mikkel and Peder had to take some tumbles, but eventually got down safely.

– It was difficult. Everyone knows that in Granåsen, Mikkel said afterwards.

This is the NRK series "Team Pølsa"

• Reality series in five parts airing on NRK this winter.
• Six young people with various disabilities train to complete a race in the world's toughest track during the Ski World Championships in Trondheim.
• Their goal is to achieve this together as a team.
• The presenter and coach is Øystein "Pølsa" Pettersen.

Pettersen took responsibility for Trygve in the descents, while Sunniva acted as a visual interpreter for Syver – just as we've seen on TV.

– It was fun, it went fast. The downhills were scary, but it was more fun than I expected. I ended up doing fine, Syver summarized afterwards.

Heia, heia, heia, heia echoed through the stadium as the participants approached the finish line. A total of around 15,000 were present.

Several children had made signs with the names of Syver (13), Peder (15), Sunniva (14), Mikkel (15), Pia (15), and Trygve (13). The same group that during the Ski World Championship has been stopped in the street for selfies and autographs.

KLARTE MÅLET: Team Pølsa finished their race with the flag flying high.

The series about six children with disabilities has resonated with the Norwegian public.

The first two episodes of "Team Pølsa" on NRK have averaged 853,000 viewers. At the same time, six previously unknown children have almost become stars overnight.

“The Team Pølsa” crew received royal recognition:

After the finish, they were greeted by the crown prince couple who had witnessed everything from the stands. They also got to visit the royal box.

Mikkel received a warm hug from his great idol, Birgit Skarstein.

Afterwards, the southern Norwegian was delighted with "Team Pølsa"'s dream day in Granåsen.

– It was absolutely fantastic, I am so proud of my team. I don’t even know what to do, said Pia happily.

An emotional Øystein Pettersen shed tears along the way.

The newly appointed presenter set a high goal for his participants, which they executed with brilliance today.

– It was utterly insane. I've been involved in some things, but nothing can compare with this, he said.

What do you feel the most?

– Yeah, real heroes, without cloaks, he said.

I am grateful for having the opportunity. But also how important it is. Because this project is not just about the six who participate, but it's about exclusion, about being different, about that we need to see each other for who we are, and not for the challenges we have, and start taking care of each other. I think that is also reflected in the audience here today, he concluded.