The Norwegian Ski Federation is dragged with poor economy and is forced to lose its national team squad on the men's side from 15 to 12 skiers ahead of the 2020/2021 season.

As a consequence, 35-year-old world champion Martin Johnsrud Sundby has been petitioned from the squad. "It's like the wife is taking a divorce," he said disappointed to NRK the other day.

When the Norwegian Ski Federation held a press conference on Tuesday - in digital bottlenecks due to ongoing corona pandemic - men's coach Eirik Myhr Nossum told us more about the decision.

- It was obviously tough and sad. I have known Martin for a long time and he has been important to me as a coach. It was obviously a difficult trade-off, there are a lot of good cross-country skiers on the men's side in Norway right now.

"We are still good friends"

According to Eirik Myhr Nossum, the dialogue with Sundby has been going on for a long time. The upcoming season awaits a World Cup in German Oberstdorf at the end of February-March.

- When we do the selection, we are based on results and what the person can contribute to national team camps and collections. Those who are going to compete in the World Cup must be able to bet fully. Martin becomes a three-child father in May and cannot contribute in the same way as before. We have been out for walks together and talked about this. We are still good friends.

JVM star gets a place in the women's squad

Helene Marie Fossesholm is a new member of the ladies group. The 18-year-old talent won two golds at JVM in Oberwiesenthal last winter and now gets a place in the star-studded team.

- This is new to me. But I think it will go really well, I have many teammates who are more experienced, that I can take help and advice from, she says at the press conference.