Sprint pioneer Hetland moves out of his small world (News Feature)

By John Bagratuni Feb 15, 2010, 18:32 GMT

Whistler, Canada - Tor Arne Hetland has made a sweet transition from Norwegian cross-country sprint pioneer to a German sprint team coach who also enjoys life at his new Swiss home.

The world and Olympic champion Hetland, 36, ended his illustrious career last April over a nagging knee injury. And when he was approached by German skier Josef Wenzl he jumped at the opportunity and now looks after the German team in the discipline.

In order to be closer to the action, he and his wife sold their house in Trondheim and moved to the famous Swiss resort of Davos, but still retain a hut in Norway for fishing and hunting trips.

'We looked for a place on the map which has ski pistes and cross-country slopes and where one can enjoy life,' he says.

Hetland was speaking to reporters on Monday, two days ahead of the Olympic sprint races at Whistler Olympic Park. Wenzl enters the race with one career win three years ago and came third last year at the Whistler venue in the World Cup.

'I talked to Josef and said he wants to train with the best in the world,' said Hetland, who started his new job on May 1, 2009.

After all, Hetland is THE pioneer in the latest cross-country discipline, the sprint, winning the very first World Cup race in 1996, the first world title in Lahti and the first Olympic gold in 2002. He won 11 World Cup races, a team sprint world title and three minor medals at worlds and Olympics.

'I thought I had no talent for the sprint but worked 100 per cent. That's how I won,' he said.

However, Hetland dismisses the idea that the Germans Wenzl, Tim Tscharnke and (the currently injured) Daniel Heum simply have to follow his example.

'You can't say 'Do it like Hetland.' Everyone has to find their own way. There is no problem if Josef wants to do things differently than I want to. You must find a balance in training,' said Hetland.

The German sprinters have always lagged behind the strong distance runners like Tobias Angerer and Axel Teichmann.

But Hetland names the team 'young and fresh' and says that Wenzl has 'the speed and the head to win' the sprint where speed and tactical finesse are the keys. Despite a slow start into the season, Hetland believes that Wenzl can medal on Wednesday.

Hetland says he has had coaching lessons but that his vast experience counts much more in the new job.

'The best experience is the sport itself. I have been in the sprint since the first World Cup. You don't learn that at school,' he said.

While the Germans benefit from his knowledge, Hetland is happy with the job as well and likely to stay on beyond the current deal until April 1.

'The first year was very rewarding. You learn a lot, see a new culture. I am not in my small world anymore. I have a good relationship with the Norwegians, but now I talk to everyone - even the Swedes,' he chuckled in reference to Norway's traditional rivals.

Hetland welcomes the idea of foreign coaches in general, including for Norway with its long cross-country tradition.

'You need fresh blood everywhere, also in Norway. You can't sit on your mountain and think you are the king of the world,' he said.