Retired German skier Teichmann to join in the 90-kilometre Vasaloppet

Two-time cross-country world champion Axel Teichmann is coming out of retirement to participate in the 100th Vasaloppet race in Sweden.

The 44-year-old German, who's currently a technical coach at the German ski federation (DSV), will tackle the famous 90-kilometre course on Sunday, 10 years after ending his professional career.

The Vasaloppet is one of the oldest cross-country skiing races in the world and is also considered the toughest. Around 16,000 recreational and elite skiers take part every year.

For Teichmann, it will be his Vasaloppet premiere. Taking part in the race once is a challenge for many active cross-country skiers, he told dpa.

"It was the same for me." However, he had set himself a time window of around 10 years after the end of his professional career to gain some distance from competitive sport and to avoid having to fulfil certain demands. The decision to take part in the Vasaloppet this year was made around Christmas.

"A crazy idea," Teichmann said.

For him, the sporting result is less important than the experience. He has not prepared himself specifically. As a trainer, he tries to keep fit anyway and has also moved his arms a little more in recent weeks, he said, alluding to the technique of the double pole push in classic cross-country skiing.

"Hopefully that will be enough to get me from A to B."

He summarized his training status as follows: "At least my head knows what to expect - my arms just don't."

Teichmann said he is not aiming for a specific time. Before the race on Sunday, he wants to do the original course twice more and take a look at the starting area.

During his career, Teichmann won two golds, five silvers and one bronz at world championships.