Ivar Holand, Reistadløpet | Resigns after five years as general manager: – I don’t want to commute from Senja every day

From being a local test of strength, the Reistadløpet has developed into an international mass gathering. Now general manager Ivar Holand (57) chooses to step down.

– The board has chosen to move the administration to Bardufosstun, and I don’t want to commute from Senja every day. I would rather spend that time on family and leisure, says Ivar Holand. He has led the day-to-day work with Reistadløpet for almost five years, and has many good experiences with him when he now leaves, says Holand in a press release.

Profit every year

As the first winter sports event in Northern Norway, the Environmental Lighthouse is certified. The number of participants has been growing solidly, the race is still on the international schedule of Ski Classics.

– This year, for the first time, we were able to carry out Reistadløpweek as a broad and good sports and cultural event in the region. In addition, we have operated with a profit every single year during my five-year period, says Holand further-

Chairman Jørn Erik Berntsen is also well satisfied with the job Ivar Holand has done, but at the same time says that the board’s decisions to change the office address and parts of the job description were necessary.

– We are a changing organization and must deal with new challenges. We are very satisfied with the work Ivar has done, and are also happy that we already have a new general manager in place. On 1 September, Leif-Ketil Gamst (57) will take over as general manager in a position that has also changed with regard to a number of functions, says chairman Jørn Erik Berntsen.

Leif-Ketil Gamst has solid speed times within the sports environment in Troms, not least of which is that he has contributed to the development of new timing systems. The 57-year-old is from Rotsund in Nord-Troms, and is now a retired officer living in Indre-Troms.

– The Reistadløpet itself is an organization that is well run and solid, that does not worry me. The challenge will be to connect on day two, the Summit 2 Senja race. Here, a completely new operational organization will be mobilized, and it will be an important task, says Gamst.

– It is good that we have found a well-qualified person who can take over this important function at short notice, says Jørn Erik Berntsen.

About the Reistadløpet

The travel race has been part of the Ski Classics for six years, and is ready for three new years in the long-distance cup. Next season there will also be a new race, the Reistadløpet Summit 2 Senja.

Against this background, among other things, Reistadløpet AS is now choosing to make some structural changes, including changing the office location from Finnsnes to Bardufosstun, which will also result in lower rental costs for Reistadløpet AS. In addition, there will be some organizational and administrative changes, and by agreement between the parties, general manager Ivar Holand will end his employment on 31 July.

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