Came in Second – Won NM Gold

Jørgen Graabak's 2nd place was enough to earn him the NM gold at Beitostølen on Saturday because Estonian Kristjan Ilves was the best competitor.

The 33-year-old Graabak has endured a season full of injuries, including a shattered elbow, broken arm, damaged shoulder, and rib fractures that he had to deal with in recent months.

Now he is embarking on the World Championship season, which could be the last of his career. Graabak has two individual Olympic golds but none in World Championships.

“I obviously want that. The WC at home will be a huge experience no matter what, but it would be a dream to be on the podium and ideally at the top. This is something I have thought a lot about during the summer and autumn when I have been training uphill on the treadmill with my arm in a sling and skiing without poles, to manage all the crazy things that are not so fun,” Graabak told NRK.

The Byåsen skier could not keep up with Ilves on Saturday.

“A little surprising, but very pleasing,” NRK expert Magnus Moan said about the Estonian victory.

Ilves led by six seconds and was never caught in the 7.5-kilometer cross-country race. Graabak in 2nd place received the NM gold. Østvold came in third and earned NM silver.

Espen Andersen finished fourth and received a bronze medal.

Ilves lives in Norway and is part of the Norwegian combined national team. He is aiming for success with Norway leading up to the Olympics.

Norway’s combined star Jarl Magnus Riiber did not participate in Beitostølen.

The ski jumping event took place in February. NM gold was finally awarded on Saturday at Beitostølen.

The World Cup kicks off in Finland at Ruka in a week.