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But when Gunnulfsen (27) made his final breakthrough at the top level, team manager Hans Kristian Lahus was referred to his hotel room in Beitostølen.
– There are special circumstances due to crown adaptations in Beitostølen. I’ve been on the piste and seen every ski slope Mikael has run in the last five years. This is the first ski slope that I sit on at the hotel in Beitostølen and watch the race on television. Of course, it was with tears in my eyes that I watched him get his latest breakthrough and the team’s biggest win yet, Lahus tells TV 2.
The cross country elite were defeated by GPS salesman Mikael (27)
– Now or never
Gunnulfsen started just before the supposedly stronger national team runners in Saturday’s 15km. The Team Telemark rider opened hard and was in the lead after 6km. The distance only increased and increased throughout the race. In the end, he was 27.3 seconds ahead of runner-up Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. Lahus is not surprised that Gunnulfsen made it to the top.
– I’ve seen Mikael training since March. He spent two days swallowing disappointment when the season was canceled. Norway was locked in and we agreed that he would spend the next eight months becoming the best-trained skier in the country. He himself thought it was now or never. The work he has done so far has been absolutely formidable, says Lahus.
Because it’s been a long way to the top for Gunnulfsen.
– It’s an example that patience pays off, says Lahus.
– Team Telemark was established in 2016. Mikael was the first rider to be selected for the team. We build the team around you. The goal was for him to become the best skier in Norway. It has been five long years. There have been ups and downs. Being here now after such a long journey is clearly going to be emotional, he adds.
I WANT GUNNULFSEN FOR RUKA: Hans Kristian Lahus believes that Mikael Gunnulfsen is now qualified to run the races at Ruka. Photo: Gunn Elin Heibø
– Of course it goes to Ruka
Now the team principal thinks Gunnulfsen describes himself on the squad traveling to Ruka this week. Two tickets are available, but in principle they should be reserved for runners of national teams.
– He was number ten in the sprint yesterday and today he won by half a minute. It should be obvious for him to go to Ruka. It was a special race, but fortunately Mikael started in bad conditions. It was in as bad a condition as the rest. I’m happy when it turned out the way it did. Then at least there will be no discussion. When you win by that margin, there should be no question.
