Career
A classical technique specialist, Hjelmeset"s biggest success is the gold medal in the 50 km event at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2007 in Sapporo. This includes five gold medals (50 km: 2007, 4 x 10 km relay: 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009) and three bronze medals (1999: 10 km, 2001: 15 km, and 2005: 50 km). The 2007 season was Hjelmeset"s best.
He retired after he failed to qualify for the 2011 Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo.