Crashing career end: “Every year there are new excuses”

Max Røisland's career did not follow the usual pattern. Because he wanted to be prepared for life after skiing, the 26-year-old Norwegian moved to the United States after finishing high school. In the land of opportunity, he attended a university and took part in UNI races on its team. After four years, Røisland returned to his homeland to compete in the national championships. The astonishing result: In the slalom, only World Cup greats Leif Kristian Nestvold Haugen and Henrik Kristoffersen were ahead of the man from Bærum. Bronze – and yet the association ignored him.

Leif Nestvold Haugen, Henrik Kristoffersen and Max Røisland at the Norwegian Championships. © Max Røisland

“I received no financial support from the ski association,” complains Røisland to the Norwegian daily newspaper VG. However, what annoys him is something else. Although he had to cover the high costs himself, he was unable to present his own sponsors on the racing suit. He was also obliged to wear the ski association's clothing, which he had to pay for himself. He saw no other way out than to end his career in the summer - especially since skiing requires enormous financial outlay. A known problem This problem is not new to the Norwegian Ski Association. Kristoffersen and Aksel Lund were already Svindal in 2018 on a confrontation course because they were not allowed to present their personal head sponsor and instead had to wear the association's sponsor on their forehead. In contrast to Røisland, the two superstars received active financial support and training opportunities.

Another point of criticism from the Norwegian is aimed directly at the management team: financial management is weak and the managers always shirk all responsibility. “They bask in the glory of what the athletes and parents have built.” In fact, the association’s ski division has been in the red for years, like VG reported. “Every year there are new excuses as to why something goes wrong. If those responsible don’t deliver, we athletes have to pay for it,” says Røisland angrily.

Ola Evjen, chairman of the association, admits wrongdoing: “Financial management has not been good enough in recent years. Therefore, steps were taken to improve the situation. This led to several athletes, including Røisland, no longer being nominated.” In order to help the ailing association, Kjetil Jansrud had already announced that he would be in the new season to cover travel and hotel costs yourself.

“Talented people spend large sums of money to become good, only to find that the ski association shows up and demands all commercial rights when they finally succeed,” is the conclusion of a disappointed, angry Max Røislands.

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Crashing career end: “Every year there are new excuses”

Becoming an Olympic champion, or perhaps “just” competing in one race in the World Cup: that is the dream of many aspiring ski talents. This only comes true for very few. Not even for Max Røisland, who has now announced his resignation - and launched an all-out attack.

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