Vegard Ulvang ©courtesy of Vegard Ulvang
In May of 2006, he was named the chairman of the FIS cross-country committee, taking over the chair vacated by the Peter Petricek of Slovenia. Ulvang is not only a legend, but is one of the most humble athletes and in this interview we speak of his early years, his biggest races, the Tour de Ski and television’s role in the sport. His depth of knowledge and love of the sport are self-evident and his powerful skiing was always a pleasure to witness. Sit back and enjoy as the “terminator” shares his thoughts.
Before we get into current topics, please tell us about how you got into skiing and the early days of your racing.
Vegard Ulvang: We had an active local xc ski club with snow from October/November until mid May where my father coached. My mother was a gymnastic teacher so I come from a sport family.
When did you get involved with Norway’s National Team program?
VU: I joined the junior national team when I was 16 but had decent results at the junior championships from the age of 14.
Did you dream about having the racing success that you’ve enjoyed?
VU: Yes, I dreamed about being a skier since I was a small boy, but the results I achieved were far beyond any expectations.
In your extraordinary racing career is there one moment that stands out above all others?
VU: Yes, the 30km at Albertville in 1991.
The Italians and the Swedes were strong during your era. What was the most fiercely fought race – the relays at Olympics?
VU: All the relays were highlights – ’92 and ’94 were the greatest for me (even if we lost).
Hermann Maier was the “Herminator” and I think our late friend Paul Robbins nicknamed you the “Terminator” – did you like that?
VU: A long life with the media has shown me that one cannot choose. It’s still used from time to time in Norway. I don’t mind…
Why did you decide to stop racing when you did?
VU: I had to have surgery on my back after ’94 and was not able to train or compete at the highest level any more. My plan was to ski at the ’98 Olympics but stopped after 1997. I had a lot of pain during my last three seasons and probably should have stopped after ’94.
You were a true outdoors man and love hunting, camping in the mountains with your brother and Audun (Endestad) as I recall?
VU: Yes we traversed Denali in Alaska in May 1990 and hiked around in Alaska for three weeks afterwards together with Audun – a great time.
What are you doing with Swix now, is it a full time job?
VU: I am member of the Board, and a part-time consultant.
You are also Head of the FIS Cross-Country Committee, what’s that like?
VU: It is a political position where my job is to search for agreements between the different nations. It is really interesting to be a part of the future development of the sport that I have grown up with. And especially to discover that there are many more important stakeholders than one realizes as an athlete.
Would you say it can be very political?
VU: Not too muchSwe have to argue or defend our viewpoints in both directions – towards the athletes and coaches and at the president level.
The Tour de Ski, your baby along with Jurg [Capol, FIS Race Director Cross-Country], is a huge success – what’s in store for the future?
VU: It has already become a major event and highlight of the season. Next is a championship round every fourth year and probably also a lot of local variations. It’s good to keep the CC family together, tying all of our different specialists together creating one big hero at the end.
Will there be more tours like the one in Canada [in 2012]? The sport looks different since you raced with pit stops for changing skis, shorter loops – do you like all of the changes?
VU: The sprint was a natural development to bring a competition program for fast skiers. Mass starts has been the biggest step, especially for the traditional Scandinavian audience. Not all experiences have been good. This race style needs wide tracks and there’s a huge advantage skiing behind another competitor. But on the other hand it easier for non-experts to follow the race, and competent TV production for interval starts only exists in Scandinavian countries. Pit stops are a small but important change bringing a focus to waxing and equipment that have always been a very important part of skiing. It’s important to balance development with history, and the core CC values: extreme endurance sport, CC- through the landscape/nature, white snow, forestsS I think we have made it. We have the same distances 15, 30 and 50 more men since 1952. The changes have been important to improve our position as a sport for TV. But it’s still important to maintain some traditional events for example like the interval 50km in Holmenkollen starting one skier after another and doing a long loop.
Any comments for the purists who say we’re changing too much?
VU: There will not be much change over the next years. The important thing now is better TV production and better courses.
Where will racing be 10-20 years from now and is TV driving most of the changes?
VU: Yes and no. Not many TV people have very clear opinions or background to provide important input. We are making decisions based on the needs of many stakeholders, with TV being the most important one. Without attractive TV footage we’ll become a non-commercial sport. Without question TV helps to bring more money and interest to our sport.
At the Whistler World Cup test event in January for Vancouver 2010 there was some course criticism – any thoughts on this?
VU: Different athletes have different skills and will therefore always have different viewpoints of any course. That is natural. But if I remember there was some Italian/English language misunderstanding last year. There’s a difference between a bad course and a course that doesn’t suit a special kind of racer. I’m convinced that most racers and coaches will look upon the courses and stadium in Whistler for the Games as close to the best ever.
From an overall point of view of the sport how do you think these Olympic Games will go?
VU: Excellent. We will have good fights, TV production will set new standards, there will be lots of spectators and a festive atmosphere. I just hope we’ll have some days with the same weather as in January there. I have recently spoken with John Aalberg [Director of Whistler Olympic Park] to learn more about the fine tuning that’s been going on, and he’s very confident about it being a great venue and GamesS and I agree.
Aalberg will then move to Oslo for the 2011 Nordic World Championships – do you agree that he’s truly one of the best top level event organizers?
VU: Definitely. He has lot of experience from all sides of our sport, and he’s one of very few people to work professionally with the development of the sport over the years. On behalf of the sport I’m very grateful for that. He is very welcome and needed in Holmenkollen. John has set the new standard for CC venues and the organization of big events.
I understand you think the new 50km at Holmenkollen maybe the toughest in the world?
VU: If you measure the number of meters of climbing, yes. Generally any course should adapt to the local landscape. In Holmenkollen the trademark has always been long uphills and demanding downhills. There is not always a link between the elevation or total climbing, and other elements of tough courses. Today the focus is more on technical courses showing all aspects of the sport.
How about some short personal questions… are you married, kids? Where do you live now?
VU: Yes. Two girls, 8 and 11. Oslo.
You have a busy schedule – when you take some time off, what do you do?
VU: I take my family hiking in both summer and winter.
What was the most hours you ever trained in one year?
VU: About 850.
Who were your sport heroes growing up?
VU: The best skiers like Oddvar Brå..
Do you like to get away to the beach/sea ever?
VU: Yes, I love both, but prefer remote ones with access by kayak.
What’s favorite food?
VU: Fish or meat that you catch yourself.
You favorite movie ever?
VU: Not my game.
Has your weight changed much since you were racing?
VU: I am the same weight that I was when I was racing.
Do you see Bjorn Daehlie and what is he doing?
VU: Yes, we see each other quite often. He is in
the real estate business, constructing and
selling.
What is your current state of mind?
VU: I am doing ok. The first snows have fallen, I’ve had two ski trips already, and I’m looking forward to the Olympics.
Thanks Vegard – great talking with you and all the best.
VU: Thank you