Musgrave upsets Norwegians with fourth-place finish in Lahti

Andrew Musgrave believes cross-country skiing’s traditional powerhouses must get used to the sight of British racers challenging for places on a World Cup podium.

The 27-year-old became the scourge of Norway once again when he finished fourth in the 50 kilometres at last weekend’s World Championships in Lahti, Finland – beating all of the dominant nation’s big stars.

One Norwegian newspaper described Musgrave’s ascendancy as “a scandal” – three years after he had caused a similar stir by skiing off with the prestigious Norwegian domestic title.

Musgrave, who was born in Dorset and lived in Shetland and Aberdeenshire, reckons the success of the small GB squad, which included a World Cup bronze for team-mate Andrew Young two years ago, has forged a new level of confidence.

Musgrave said: “I think definitely the other racers on the circuit know who we are now and we are seen as proper competitors by them.

“You could take the size of our back-up team and times it by ten to get to the level of the Norwegians, but we have still been able to do well despite having such a small squad.

“I don’t really see it is as a disadvantage. A few years ago it might have been, but now I believe we are a good, professional team that is good enough to win World Cups.”

Musgrave’s success over 50km came with a tinge of disappointment as he failed by less than two seconds to claim an historic first podium place and a bronze medal.