Norway coach Kalfoss responds as two stars go their own way

Two high-profile absences have become a talking point in Norwegian cross-country skiing. Olympic champion Karoline Simpson-Larsen and Karoline Grøtting have formally been part of the national team since May, yet they continue to train almost entirely with their private outfit, Team Anlegg Øst Entreprenør. Now head coach Per Elias Kalfoss has addressed the arrangement – and carefully avoided any hint of confrontation.

One kilometre down the road

The debate was sparked by the national team's three-week altitude camp in Font-Romeu, France, in September. As VG reported, Simpson-Larsen (29) and Grøtting (25) did not stay or train with the national squad there, but with Team Anlegg Øst – in the same place, at the same time. "They were about one kilometre away. In principle, they followed Anlegg Øst's programme at that camp," Kalfoss told the newspaper. There was no conflict, he insisted; the federation wants to tailor programmes to what each athlete believes in most.

The optics are still striking. Of the 11 women on the national team, only four attended Font-Romeu: Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, Nora Sanness, Julie Myhre and Heidi Weng.

"I won't use the word unfortunate"

Kalfoss went further in comments to langrenn.com on 2 October. "Jeg vil ikke bruke ordet 'uheldig'," he said – he would not call the situation unfortunate. "We hope our set-up is so good that they want to be with us all the time." He also acknowledged the pair's bond with private coach Emil Hosøy: "There's no doubt they have a good relationship with Emil. We respect that."

The background matters. In the spring, both skiers asked to be released from the national team so they could stay with their private team. The request was turned down, and a flexible compromise was negotiated instead.

"The best of both worlds"

According to langrenn.com, Simpson-Larsen's deal requires her to attend three national team camps in Norway: on Sognefjellet, in Sandefjord in early summer, and at Mosetertoppen in October. Otherwise she trains daily with Team Anlegg Øst and joins all of its altitude camps. "I have got it exactly the way I wanted. I am very grateful that I have the freedom to train in the way I believe in," she said. Working with Hosøy five days a week, she describes it as "the best of both worlds".

Grøtting explained her choice to VG by pointing to her coach's experience: at altitude it is easy to become over-eager, so having Emil – someone who knows her well – close by helps her avoid overtraining. NRK pundit Torgeir Bjørn said individualised programmes at altitude camps can make a lot of sense, citing Sweden's successful women's team, which rarely trains together as a full group.

So far, results back the pair. Simpson-Larsen won Olympic relay gold in February alongside Heidi Weng, Astrid Øyre Slind and Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, while Grøtting made her World Cup breakthrough last winter.

The next reunion is already set. The national team gathers at Mosetertoppen from 5 to 9 October for the final camp of the pre-season, and langrenn.com reports that both Simpson-Larsen and Grøtting are expected to attend.