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INTERVIEW: The photo was taken when VG met Aleksander Aamodt Kilde this summer. Photo: Bjørn S. Delebekk
Alpine Profiles Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (28) thinks it is “boring” and “sad” to lose potential talent. Rasmus Windingstad (26) wants more dialogue and less conflict in the media.
– We are concerned that those who are willing to do the job to be the best will have a chance. It’s boring and sad when we lose talents that are on the rise, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde tells VG.
The answer comes on the basis of the case in which the mountaineer Max Røisland directed scathing criticism of the Norwegian Ski Federation through an article in VG.
“The Norwegian Ski Association has been a bigger obstacle for me than they have been to help,” Røisland told VG.
The case, of course, has not gone unnoticed in the national team environment.
– Max’s story is interesting. First of all, it is an incredibly difficult situation for him personally, but it is also a situation that should be one of the main objectives of the Ski Federation to avoid. Motivated runners who are good enough must have a goal to look out for, says Rasmus Windingstad.
– I find it difficult to say where to blame or if it was an unavoidable situation. It makes you feel lucky to have had a place for many years and not have to worry too much about training or money.
SUCCESS: Rasmus Windingstad won his first world championship when he won the parallel slalom in December last year. Photo: Alessandro Trovati / AP
Røisland’s criticism of the ski association is based on weak financial management, leaders who “enjoy the glory of athletes” and that the ski association “demands all commercial rights”.
– Several of the points that Max addresses are common, for example the Kristoffersen case. It is a story where it has been difficult to get to the leadership of the Ski Association, something that the rest of the team members have addressed and are working to improve, says Aamodt Kilde.
– Decisions should not be made without communication around which ones really apply, says the 28-year-old.
VG has recorded Kilde’s remarks with Alpine Skiing Sporting Director Claus Ryste. Answer the following:
– Aleks (Aamodt Kilde) is right that you should communicate it with the interested parties, and he is a practitioner who has taken responsibility for a clear and orderly communication, writes Ryste in an SMS.
YOU HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. Photo: CHRISTIAN BRUNA / EPA
– We know the importance of incorporating new riders and what they contribute to the team. The gap between the FIS, the European Cup and the World Cup is too big. This is what all leaders and riders agree on, says Windingstad.
– I think it’s important to note that runners and leaders have been actively working with this here longer than external impression can indicate. For example, we have a broker representative on the female and male side. This makes two-way communication much easier and, in my opinion, we have become more involved in matters that concern us directly.
Both are concerned that it is not interpreted as a criticism of the Ski Federation, but as a desire to find better solutions.
– This is a very important theme. We want a constructive dialogue and we think it is a shame that practitioners feel they have to go to the media to be heard.
– I think it is important to have a higher degree of early participation and representation of runners on issues that directly affect us athletes, says Aamodt Kilde.
Windingstad also emphasizes that a very good job is being done, while a small Alpine nation like Norway is competitive with larger countries like Austria, Italy and Germany.
– We must not forget the development we have seen. If you complain about financial management in downhill skiing, you must remember to look at the development in the number of women we have on the team. Ladies are as entitled to a good plan as we do, says Windingstad, who points to greater breadth on both the male and female sides.
WHOLESALERS: Kjetil Jansrud and Aksel Lund Svindal have been big profiles on the men’s side in alpine in recent years. Photo: Bjørn S. Delebekk
It is mainly about economics.
– The competition for a place in the national team is tougher than ever, mainly due to the crown and extraordinary financial cuts, Ryste told VG in connection with the Røisland case.
The ski association ran a deficit of one million in 2016, before it got even more difficult the following year. The trend has not given up either.
– All it’s about is money. There is no one who has not been given a place on the team by other injustices, says Windingstad.
– The outline must be so sharp that the best are good enough to win. There must also be finances to take care of later growth. I think the Norwegian Ski Association will benefit from being more receptive to input both in terms of sporting work and sponsorship, says Kilde.
