Norwegian skier Skistad goes public about complaints against her coach
Norwegian skier Kristine Stavaas Skistad, a world championships runner-up in cross-country skiing, told TV 2 why she filed complaints against her long-time coach Lage Sofienlund. Both complaints, to her club and to the Norwegian Ski Federation, were rejected.
Norwegian skier Kristine Stavaas Skistad, a world championships runner-up in skiing and winner of several World Cup events, has publicly explained the reasons behind her official complaints against her long-time coach, Lage Sofienlund. The 27-year-old spoke to the Norwegian broadcaster TV 2. Both complaints, alleging abuse of power, were rejected, but she says she now feels compelled to turn to the public.
Working together since age 14
Skistad worked with Sofienlund from the age of 14. The coach held several roles: mental and physical conditioning coach, manager and communications adviser. She says she first wondered whether the problem lay with her, and that this spring, after talking with close contacts, she realised the situation was unacceptable. She writes that the relationship involved control, power, financial matters, physical closeness, sexual harassment and blurred roles.
One incident she describes relates to the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, before the sprint event. According to her, the coach took her to his hotel, where preparation took place in bed, and then offered a massage. Skistad declined, but he said he wanted to do it anyway. The incident formed part of one of the complaints.
She also says she paid large sums to the coach on the basis of verbal agreements only.
Ethics committee findings
A document from the Norwegian Ski Federation's ethics committee, obtained by TV 2, says Sofienlund explained the physical closeness as mutual and consensual. The committee held that the degree of closeness called for some disciplinary response, but found no basis to claim an intentional breach, and recommended against the harshest sanctions. The federation's legal and prosecution committee later closed the case.
Leaving the club
Skistad ended the cooperation on 10 June. The club wanted her to state publicly that nothing special had happened, but she refused. She describes rumours and hostile treatment at the club, and in September she left Konnerud IL.
