It was an exuberant Andrew Musgrave who took third place in the 10 kilometer classic in Beitostölen on Saturday.

He was fourth last weekend in Lillehammer but now had to take a long-awaited podium place.

- It had been five years since I last stood on the podium, so it was time for me to step up.

Mega delicious.

Has it been five long years?

- Yes, in a way.

At the same time, I may be a bit naive.

Every time I start I have the belief that I will win, and I am always disappointed when I finish.

At least today I'm a little closer.

The coaches without salary

Since the Olympics in Beijing last winter, it has otherwise been a tough time for Musgrave and the British team which, among other things, lost the support of UK Sports, which can be compared to the SOK (Swedish Olympic Committee) in Sweden.

Norwegian coaches Hans Kristian Stadheim and Jostein Vinjerui were without salary and the team had no meetings during the summer.

- We lost all the support we had so we had no gathering this summer, no plan and it was uncertain whether we would have coaches and herders at the World Cup.

Our coaches have worked very hard to make it happen.

Recently it became clear that the British season was saved by a Norwegian sponsorship deal and cooperation.

- We are grateful.

We have arrived on skis and now I am on the podium.

There will surely be more, says Musgrave.

How was this time?

- I have been at home and done the work and thought I would solve it regardless.

It was probably worse for the coaches than for me, actually for them because they haven't had a salary or anything and stood on their own trying to solve something.

Magnus, our gelding, received offers from other teams during the summer but waited to bet with us.

This is a great relief for the whole team.

What do you think about the fact that the coaches struggled even though they didn't get paid?

- It really shows that they want us to succeed.

They could have gone to other teams, or done something else.

They are great legends who stood their ground and made sure to solve something good for us.