Bjarne Rykkje will continue his role as technical manager of the Norwegian skating team for another four years, following a successful period highlighted by world championship victories for Norwegian skaters.
Schaatsen.nl, published in the Netherlands, reports on this development in Norwegian speed skating.
The past month has been notably positive for Rykkje, with Norwegian athletes Sander Eitrem and Ragne Wiklund securing allround world championships at the Thialf ice rink. Shortly after these achievements, the Norwegian Skating Federation announced the continuation of Rykkje’s contract, emphasizing his influence on the national team’s success over the years.
The federation’s general secretary, Arle Blindheim, highlighted that under Rykkje’s leadership, Norway’s national team has made significant progress and earned medals across all disciplines, despite having a smaller budget than other top national teams. Blindheim attributes this success to the dedication and expertise of Rykkje and his coaching staff.
Though highly sought after by various parties, Rykkje has chosen to remain loyal to the Norwegian organization for a third term, a decision that Blindheim views as a strong endorsement of Norwegian skating.
World champion Sander Eitrem also expressed his appreciation, describing Rykkje as the best coach worldwide and looking forward to working together over the next four years to achieve new goals.
Rykkje reflected on his decision to extend his tenure, noting the significant achievements over the past eight years and the satisfaction derived from strong relationships with the athletes. He emphasized the motivation gained from close collaboration with the skaters and highlighted his commitment to nurturing the next generation of long-track skaters.
In the months ahead, the Norwegian Skating Federation aims to assemble a team of coaches to continue supporting Rykkje in his work with the national team.
