.Johannes Dale thrives with the guys he “hangs out” with, but is clear that the goal is to become a member of the old gang again – as soon as possible.

The Lillehammer resident blaker experienced his heaviest season in biathlon this winter, where first the Olympic ticket went straight west and a few months later the place on the elite team went the same way.

That it became an EN title in the relay during the winter, warmed like a lot like hitting the hem in the pants on an icy winter’s day for the guy who won individual World Cup medals and came fifth in the World Cup the season before.

– Of course I miss being with Johannes, Sturla and the other guys on the elite team, but now I live well with my new situation, he says, addressing the recruit national team he has been moved down to.

In swing with beis

He is in the swing of things when Indre gets in touch on the phone.

– When you “take” your own house, it’s always something to do. Well, I actually have that rest days in a row. Then it’s good to get some work done with an outdoor kitchen we’re in the process of putting in place.

– Briefly about your new training routine with a new coaching team and new teammates?

– It was obviously a setback to get on the recruiting team. Now it has turned into something positive. The level is high and the atmosphere nice. At the same time, all six athletes and the coaches are gathered here in Lillehammer. This means that we can have daily contact, anything is a great advantage.

– How are you on track so far?

– It looks good. I have put in a solid amount of training work and all tests look good.

– Have you found any panacea to get the blinkers down better than last year. Surely that was where a lot of the misery for your results this winter lay?

– It is a continuous process that I have worked hard on over the summer. Much lies between the ears, and I have also started a collaboration with real expertise on the mental part.

– What opportunities do you see to get back into good company?

– It will be tough. The level and breadth of the world’s best biathlon nation is sky high. At the same time, I know what level I was at two years ago and what is required to get there again. The path from the recruitment layer to international top level can also be short. Two of the runners from there made the Olympic team last year and performed solidly in the World Cup.

– What about summer vacation, has it become something of that for you?

– Not the whole world. It has been limited to a trip to Copenhagen and a few days at the cabin on Hvaler. Otherwise, it has been training for me and work for Kristina after she cut out her full-time commitment to biathlon.

– Aiming for a wedding in 2024

– A new challenge for you that “father” must have dinner ready when she gets home?

– He-he. Yes, you can say that.

– What do you have on the menu today?

– Oh! Say it. Guess I’ll have to take a trip down to the store before I can say that.

– A sporting heavy year, but a personal highlight. You got engaged during a trip to Fjellheimen. How are the wedding plans going?

– We work on it, but don’t stress. So far, we are aiming for the summer of 2024.

Before that time, the obvious goal is to fight for podium places in both the World Cup and the WC.

The setting is definitely nothing to say about:

– I am very hungry for revenge.