On Saturday, April 13, the Ski Classics Grand Finale, Janteloppet, will take place in Norway as the 15th and final event of Season XV, where all the Pro Team athletes and their Pro Teams will be present celebrating the end of the season.
Janteloppet, a Ski Classics Challengers event last season, is a unique skiing race starting and finishing at Hafjell. The original 20km event conceived by the renowned traditional cross-country skier and Pro Team athlete Petter Northug Jr., Team Northug Crucible, brings together the World’s top skiers, young talents, enthusiasts, and recreational skiers, delivering fun, memorable moments, and competitive spirit in equal proportions.
Now, in a significant development, Janteloppet expands its horizons by joining the prestigious Ski Classics Pro Tour calendar for the much-anticipated Ski Classics Grand Finale of Season XV. The event is a unique 100-kilometer long-distance lapping challenge that promises to deliver a riveting spectacle.
David Nilsson, CEO Ski Classics, expresses his enthusiasm for the new addition, stating:
“A Grand Finale is part of a theatre play where all the stars are called upon the stage a last time to meet the audience’s appreciation and applause. The athletes from our 35 Pro Teams are our stars in Ski Classics,” and continues:
“The Ski Classics Grand Finale is a new addition to Ski Classics, ending the season with a prestigious 100-kilometer race packed with action and show. For the Pro Team athletes, it is the ambition to create a new dimension to celebrate a long season in style. For recreational skiers, the ambition is to create a true challenge, trying to, during the season, qualify to be part of the 100km race or choosing the 20km open race before joining the after-ski! Hafjell and Janteloppet are very attractive brands for both new and experienced skiers, and we really look forward to Janteloppet’s first edition in Ski Classics Pro Tour.”
Petter Northug is equally delighted to join the Ski Classics Pro Tour calendar, as Northug himself exclaims:
“Janteloppet has been a lifelong dream of mine, and its realization has surpassed even my wildest expectations. I firmly believe that expanding the reach of races that unite recreational skiers and elite athletes is paramount for the continued relevance of cross-country skiing among younger generations,” expressed Petter Northug.
Introducing the Grand Finale Concept
To conclude Season XV with unparalleled greatness, Ski Classics introduces the Grand Finale concept. David Nilsson, CEO Ski Classics, sheds light on this exciting development:
“The Grand Finale concept aims to create an exciting and spectacular ending to the season. For Janteloppet, it involves a looping course with various sprints and other elements that transform the event into a captivating show rather than a traditional ski race,” Nilsson explains and adds:
“The inspiration for this concept draws from the iconic finish on the Champs-Élysées in the Tour de France, adding a similar level of spectacle and grandeur. To participate in the final 100km race, recreational skiers would need to qualify, much like the qualifying process for the Ironman World Championships in triathlon or UTMB in ultra running. Skiers have the opportunity to qualify at Pro Tour or Challengers events.”
The Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet, 100km race, is open to Pro Tour athletes and a limited number of recreational skiers. To get the ticket to be able to apply to the 100km race, a skier needs to:
- Have an SC Ranking within the top 1000.
or
- Have a Ski Classics race result from the current season:
a. For Pro Tour events: One race on winner’s time plus 50% (in each gender).
b. For Challengers events: Two events on winner’s time plus 50% (in each gender).
Ski Classics will introduce a ‘Grand Finale 100k qualification pin’ on the Ski Classics My Pages. Skiers will receive this pin once the qualification criteria are fulfilled. More details and information will be revealed closer to the event.
Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet Press Conference
Tune in to the SC – The Ski Community YouTube channel to watch the press conference about the upcoming Ski Classics Grand Finale event, Janteloppet, providing viewers exclusive insights and updates.
To watch the press conference, click on the YouTube link below:
Remember to subscribe to the SC – The Ski Community YouTube channel to stay informed and receive the latest content – Youtube @sctheskicommunity.
For the Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet, expect no less than a spectacular finish for Season XV.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)
- Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 15km
- Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 35km
- Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km
- Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
- Event 5: January 13, 2024 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
- Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
- Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
- Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 12km
- Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
- Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
- Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
- Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
- Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.
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