Biathlon: Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen learned of Sivert Bakken’s death from teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal says he felt sick and in disbelief when he received the news that Sivert Guttorm Bakken had died in his hotel room during a private altitude camp in Lavazè, Italy, on December 23. Being at home in Norway, he immediately needed to speak to someone and called teammate Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, delivering what he describes as one of the strangest and most terrible phone calls of his life.

Christiansen recalls answering the call as he arrived home in Geilo on December 23, realizing quickly that Dale-Skjevdal was not phoning merely to wish him a Merry Christmas. Deeply affected, Christiansen says this has been the worst Christmas he could imagine. Just two days earlier in Le Grand-Bornand, France, Christiansen and Dale-Skjevdal had finished first and second in the World Cup sprint, with Bakken in fifth. Dale-Skjevdal and Bakken were close friends for years, often training and traveling together, and spending holidays and time in the mountains.

The Norwegian Biathlon Federation has stated that Bakken was found with an altitude mask. The cause of death is not yet known, and it is unclear whether the mask was related to his passing. An autopsy report is expected soon. Dale-Skjevdal says he had never heard of an altitude mask before this incident—though he knows of altitude tents and houses—and has never used simulated altitude himself. He welcomes a renewed, informed discussion about simulated altitude use.

Christiansen admits training has been difficult since the loss, with many hours spent on the phone with teammates and those close to Bakken. He says being in nature evoked powerful memories of Bakken, who loved the mountains. Ahead of the next World Cup in Oberhof starting January 8, Christiansen remains unsure if he will travel if the funeral coincides; Dale-Skjevdal intends to race in Bakken’s honor, saying his friend would have wanted him to compete. Before departing for Germany, the Norwegian team will gather on Lillehammer for a memorial—the first time the full squad will be together since Bakken’s passing.

The article also notes that Juni Arnekleiv and Mats Øverby took part in a show race in Germany days after Bakken’s death, describing an emotional atmosphere.