Norwegian athlete Einar Hedegart, the 24-year-old who shocked many by winning the national mass start title in March 2025, has decided to put away his rifle for good and switch fully to cross-country skiing. His ambition: the 2026 Olympic Games in Val di Fiemme.
“From now on, everything is focused on cross-country,” he told Adresseavisen.
Hedegart has already shown remarkable potential in skiing. Last season he finished second in the 10 km freestyle race at the Oslo World Cup stage, right behind stars like Amundsen and Klaebo — a performance that pushed him to seriously reconsider his athletic path.
“It’s the Olympic season, and I simply have a much better chance in cross-country skiing than in biathlon,” he explained. “Besides, I’m already part of a private cross-country team. It’s a natural choice.”
Hedegart now embarks on an exciting new challenge with the dream of earning an Olympic medal — but he knows the road ahead will be long.
