Skirious problems

Skirious problems

Skirious Problems is your backstage pass to the brilliantly unpolished world of elite cross-country skiing. Hosted by World Cup racers Mika Vermeulen and James Clugnet, the show delivers a sharp mix of insider insight, chaotic travel tales, training drama, and the kind of brutally honest banter you only get from athletes who spend far too much time together on the road. The hosts aren’t afraid to voice strong opinions, roast each other, or poke fun at the quirks of their sport — all with a wink and a sense of humility. What truly elevates the show, though, is the lineup of prominent guests who drop in: World Cup winners, rising stars, Olympic medalists, wax technicians with cult followings, and the occasional wild-card personality from outside skiing. Their stories bring depth, humor, and a fresh range of perspectives, whether they’re unpacking tense race moments, revealing team secrets, or debating the future of the sport. With its mix of authenticity, sharp humor, and unfiltered athlete conversations, Skirious Problems offers a uniquely entertaining look at skiing life beyond the finish line — perfect for fans, athletes, and anyone who enjoys a good dose of organized chaos.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Rosie Fordham: The offset Queen

    This week on Skirious Problems, we spiral (productively) through the chaos of elite skiing: race FOMO, weird techniques that somehow work, and why the women’s field is constantly asked to do more with less. We’re joined by Rosie Vordam to talk offset technique, World Championship nerves, Olympic dreams, and what it’s actually like racing for a small nation with quota math always looming in the background. From there, things get existential: 50K races, race stress vs. training stress, and why longer races can feel both “easier” and way more brutal at the same time. We dig into racing dynamics, gender disparities, and the cursed race calendar—plus why more races (and relays!) could actually make athletes fitter, faster, and less unhinged. Hot takes include: perceived exhaustion is lying to you, racing might be the best training, and the sport desperately needs more opportunities on the women’s side. We finish with Mika’s athletic origin story, a dream training session, and a moment of silence (or not) for the retirement of Gabriel Gledill. If you’ve ever felt FOMO watching a start list, questioned your life choices in a 50K, or wondered why skiing makes things harder than they need to be—this one’s for you. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “SKIRIOUS PROBLEMS” ON:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1nVdyNDukQ7Ucv7IdfXzpg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/skirious-problems/id1718097138  RSS-Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/ed0abed0/podcast/rss  🤳🏼 FOLLOW US:  Skirious Problems: https://www.instagram.com/skirious_problems  Mika Vermeulen: https://www.instagram.com/mikaa_ver  James Clugnet: https://www.instagram.com/jimmycluggz

    49 min
  2. 15 JAN

    Coletta Rydzek: Bavarian Export, Nordic Skier, and Secret Alpine Gossip Broker

    Trust us, this episode with Coletta Rydzek is loaded with honest talk, fresh gossip, and a ton of laughs. We kick things off diving into German ski culture: strict performance tests, old-school coaching styles, and how things are changing for the better (thanks to some Scandinavian influence and a little more flexibility). Coletta Rydzek opens up about her own journey, hitting her stride after a rocky start, and even shares what it was like to win her first World Cup with her brother cheering her on. Of course, we also got some spicy rumors for you - dating drama in the athlete world, boyfriend talk, and a peek at what goes down on TikTok and at German ski camps. Plus, if you’ve ever wondered why biathlon is basically a religion in Germany or got confused by all these weird testing acronyms, you’ll want to stick around! 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “SKIRIOUS PROBLEMS” ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1nVdyNDukQ7Ucv7IdfXzpgApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/skirious-problems/id1718097138 RSS-Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/ed0abed0/podcast/rss YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkiriousProblems 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: Skirious Problems: https://www.instagram.com/skirious_problems Mika Vermeulen: https://www.instagram.com/mikaa_ver James Clugnet: https://www.instagram.com/jimmycluggz Skirious Problems is partially supported by FIS and produced in cooperation with Maniac Studios.

    58 min
  3. 27/12/2025

    Moa Ilar: What do you really think about the Tour de Ski?

    In today’s episode, Jimmy, who is joined by Andrew Musgrave (get well soon Mika!), sits down with Swedish cross-country skiing sensation Moa Ilar for an inside look at her journey through the sport and the upcoming Tour de Ski. You’ll hear Moa Ilar share everything from growing up in a tiny village that’s obsessed with swimming, to what it’s like chasing podiums (and sometimes bagging a win out of nowhere). She spills on training after foot surgery, why fighting for a spot in the Swedish women’s team is both awesome and stressful, and gives her honest opinions about this year’s Tour de Ski changes. There’s a bunch of good stories in this one: wild relay team drama, crazy Olympic quotas, and the infamous moment Moa Ilar got disqualified for helping a teammate—and got some pretty wild messages online. Plus, you’ll hear who she’d dream of training with (spoiler: it’s wholesome), and everyone shares a laugh about rumors and weird race formats. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “SKIRIOUS PROBLEMS” ON:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1nVdyNDukQ7Ucv7IdfXzpg Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/skirious-problems/id1718097138 RSS-Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/ed0abed0/podcast/rss YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkiriousProblems🤳🏼 FOLLOW US:  Skirious Problems: https://www.instagram.com/skirious_problems Mika Vermeulen: https://www.instagram.com/mikaa_ver James Clugnet: https://www.instagram.com/jimmycluggz Skirious Problems is partially supported by FIS and produced in cooperation with Maniac Studios.

    50 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Skirious Problems is your backstage pass to the brilliantly unpolished world of elite cross-country skiing. Hosted by World Cup racers Mika Vermeulen and James Clugnet, the show delivers a sharp mix of insider insight, chaotic travel tales, training drama, and the kind of brutally honest banter you only get from athletes who spend far too much time together on the road. The hosts aren’t afraid to voice strong opinions, roast each other, or poke fun at the quirks of their sport — all with a wink and a sense of humility. What truly elevates the show, though, is the lineup of prominent guests who drop in: World Cup winners, rising stars, Olympic medalists, wax technicians with cult followings, and the occasional wild-card personality from outside skiing. Their stories bring depth, humor, and a fresh range of perspectives, whether they’re unpacking tense race moments, revealing team secrets, or debating the future of the sport. With its mix of authenticity, sharp humor, and unfiltered athlete conversations, Skirious Problems offers a uniquely entertaining look at skiing life beyond the finish line — perfect for fans, athletes, and anyone who enjoys a good dose of organized chaos.

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