Bjornsen (USA) and Wick (GER) end career

Mar 29, 2020·Cross-Country

When Erik Bjornsen joined the World Cup for the first time in Québec (CAN) back in 2012, he had already stocked up his pockets with top results from the US Super Tour. Until 2014, he claimed 14 victories and was ranked second in the overall results of the seasons 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Back in the World Cup circuit 2014, Bjornsen scored his first World Cup points when finishing 18th in the 15km C in Toblach (ITA). He continued his strike at the US Nationals in Soldier Hollow by winning the 15km C and a second rank in the Sprint competition. The season continued at the Olympic Winter Games in Sotchi where Erik reached the 11th position with the relay and a 6th rank in the team sprint. Erik Bjornsen and Simi Hamilton remained paired up for most of the upcoming male team sprint combinations of the following competitions and reached repeatedly great results at the WSC in Falun 2015 (5th rank) and at the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang 2018 (6th rank).

Time to hang up the ol' race skis. What a trip! Thank you all! ---- Crazy what a sport can provide you. Just a young buck from a small town in Washington, got to travel the world with a bunch of amazing people. Made friends from all over the globe. Met a girl from a small town in France. Bit at the ankles of the worlds best. ---- I'm proud of what I was able to achieve. Always hungry for more, but I'm sure that won't stop with skiing. Looking forward to the future... After the corona virus. Stay healthy everyone 💪 ---- Thank you so much for all the great memories ski family, fam family, coaches, volunteers, friends, and sponsors. That was one heck of a good time! .... #MethowValley #Truckee #PrazDeLys #Sochi #Lillehammer #Anchorage

The end of his professional skiing career was also announced by Thomas Wick. In the early skiing days, Thomas drew attention on himself when he won silver and one year later bronze at the Junior World Ski Championships in 2009 and 2010. Wick entered the World Cup in his first two seasons for the Tour de Ski in 2013 and 2014.

Thank you Thomas for your great love and passion for the sport! All the best for the upcming adventures.

"The most important thing is that you live your dreams and never stop believing in what is worth striving for. Overcoming fears and doubts, mastering the fear of the unknown. Trying new ways consistently, also at the risk of failing. Fear is not a nice feeling. It is all the more important to overcome them to find happiness behind them. I learned on this journey that there is not only one way. Finding your own way - this freedom should be taken as a young person."– Thomas Wick

my xc journey ends.👋🏻 When I was almost two years old, I stood on the narrow boards in Zella-Mehlis, for the first time. For me the beginning of an exciting journey. In the footsteps of my big brother, I took part in numerous regional races and switched to the sports high school in Oberhof when I was 14 years old. My passion for xc skiing grew and that's why I didn't switch to the biathlon team like my brother Robert did. In this sport I wanted to leave my marks. After passing my A levels in 2010, I joined the German army in Oberhof and my time as a professional athlete began. In 2013, my love to the sport was about to end. But by moving to Ruhpolding it was reborn. Another six unforgettable years followed. The sport showed me cultures and landscapes far beyond the borders of the Thuringian Forest. Cross-country skiing shaped me as a person. On the one hand, I got to know incredibly interesting and great personalities. On the other hand, some characterly weak people also crossed my path. These experiences have shown me how important it is to carefully consider which people should get access to your life. The hardest thing is to let go a great love and not lose yourself in the process. The past few years have been an incredible journey for me. A journey of hopes and dreams, of victories and defeats. Perhaps not all of my wishes and dreams have been fulfilled, but the most important thing is that you live them and never stop believing in what is worth striving for. Overcoming fears and doubts, mastering the fear of the unknown. Trying new ways consistently, also at the risk of failing. Fear is not a nice feeling. It is all the more important to overcome them to find happiness behind them. I learned on this journey that there is not only one way. Finding your own way - this freedom should be taken as a young person. Sometimes a door opens where you have actually only seen a wall. And never underestimate how important friends are to our happiness. But above all remember the people who always give you strength. Family. And the most important thing, which we are hardly learning these days - that it cannot be taken for granted: health. THANK YOU ❤️

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Bjornsen (USA) and Wick (GER) end career

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