Andrew Musgrave is looking to use his “home away from home” advantage to secure a career-defining podium at the 2025 World Cross-Country Skiing Championships in Norway. The 34-year-old Scottish skier, currently based in Trondheim, believes his knowledge of the local tracks and recent form will provide him with the confidence needed for success at the World Championships.
A Home Advantage in Trondheim for Andrew Musgrave
For Musgrave, who trains daily on the competition tracks in Trondheim, the World Championships, which start February 26, feel like a home event. The city, hosting the prestigious competition, is known as a cross-country skiing hub, with the sport deeply embedded in Norwegian culture. For Musgrave, familiarity with the tracks offers a competitive edge, something he is eager to capitalize on.
“The World Championships in Norway are huge,” he said. “Cross-country is one of the largest sports in the country, and hundreds of thousands will watch. Having raced on these tracks regularly gives me an advantage. I also secured a podium spot in a World Cup event here last season, which boosted my confidence.”
Solid Beginning to the 2024/2025 Season
Musgrave heads into the World Championships feeling more confident than ever after ending the 2024/2025 season in style. He won his fifth World Cup podium of his career in December 2024 by taking bronze in the 20km interval start freestyle at the Tour de Ski. The result was his first podium since a difficult opening to the season.
“I felt really good going into the Tour,” Musgrave said. “The stage suited my strengths, and I was happy to return to the podium after such a long time.”
Olympic Dreams and the Road to 2026
While the World Championships are a key focus, Musgrave is also looking at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. As he stands with a fifth Olympic appearance within reach, Musgrave is determined to chase the elusive Olympic medal that has so far eluded him.
“The Olympics is the biggest event for a British athlete,” he said. “Cross-country skiing hasn’t always been the biggest focus in past Olympic locations, but going to Italy will be an incredible opportunity. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my career and will be a medal contender.”
Having first competed at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as a teenager, Musgrave’s experience has only grown and he is keen to build on his best-ever result of seventh place in the men’s 30km skiathlon at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.
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Cross-Country Skiing in the UK
Musgrave wishes to popularize cross-country skiing in Britain by either performing the sport himself or by passing his training techniques on to others. One of the main training tools he uses is roller skiing: a land-based version of cross-country skiing in which British skiers can prepare for their discipline without snow.
“We want to show that you can cross-country ski in Britain,” he said. “There are roller ski clubs all over the UK, and training on roller skis is not only effective but fun. It’s a great way to stay in shape when snow is not available, and we’re working to get more people involved.”
For Musgrave, the ultimate goal remains winning an Olympic medal, for it would give cross-country skiing the attention it deserves in the British media.
“Winning a medal at the Olympics is how we get the most media attention, and that’s our priority,” he said.
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