Kristine Stavås Skistad Parts Ways with Coach Lage Sofienlund
In a significant shift in her cross-country skiing career, Kristine Stavås Skistad will no longer be working with Lage Sofienlund as her personal coach, as confirmed by both NRK and TV 2.
For several years, Sofienlund has been a vital figure in Skistad’s training regimen, creating a tailored program in Konnerud that diverged from the national team’s standard routine. His guidance has been instrumental in her development as an athlete.
Karianne Hajum, the daily manager of Konnerud IL, confirmed this change, though she declined to elaborate on the reasons behind it. “I’ve been informed that this is accurate, and they are indeed altering their cooperation. However, I have no further comments at this time,” she stated.
Hajum was quick to emphasize that there is no drama surrounding this decision. TV 2 has also verified the conclusion of their collaboration.
Skistad has previously expressed deep admiration for Sofienlund, highlighting his impact on her journey: “Lage has meant everything to me. I met him when I was very young, and he’s the reason I chose skiing in the first place. He’s such a wonderful person, and I feel fortunate to have shared this experience with him.”
As for Sofienlund, he has yet to respond to NTB’s inquiries regarding the change in their professional relationship.
Under Sofienlund’s mentorship, Skistad has achieved remarkable success, racking up eleven World Cup victories. Notably, she captured a silver medal in the sprint at last year’s World Championships in Trondheim and secured a commendable fifth place in this year’s Winter Olympics held in Northern Italy.
