As recently as January, Norwegian cross-country skier Emil Iversen, 31, was considering quitting. Now he seems to have instead had a revival thanks to compatriot and world star Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, who himself snubbed the national team in April.

"He seems motivated and excited to do a good job. I think he will come back to where he has been, I'm pretty sure of that," Johannes Hösflot Kläbo told NRK.

"The spark is back"

In April, Iversen was dropped from the national team while Kläbo declined a place. Now a training collaboration has begun for the home World Cup in 2025.

"I will be a friend and training partner. We will have many training trips together during the summer and autumn, Kläbo tells NRK and continues:

"It seems like the spark is back and he seems more motivated than ever. I think he benefits from a change. Now he can be his own boss and take care of everyday life as he wants, Kläbo points out.

Lead-heavy seasons

After taking home the five-mile in Oberstdorf in 2021, Emil Iversen has had two very heavy seasons. Last year's best finishes in the World Cup were sixth and fourth respectively in Lillehammar and Beitostölen. The season ended with a 13th place in the five-mile in Planica.

Iversen explained after the season that health may have been an explanation for the miscalculations, including clogged sinuses. But one operation and one training camp later, it now appears that the 31-year-old is aiming for another medal in his home World Cup.

"We forget the last two years. If I win a medal at the World Championships in Granåsen, I will retire five minutes later," Iversen told NRK in April.

MORE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Kläbo answers about peak year 2023 (March 26, 2023)

Javascript is disabled

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Learn more about browser support

Hear Kläbo answer three questions after the peak year – talks about what it's like to be away from his girlfriend: "Had a bit of luck"