Ski Classics Season XV is over, but preparations have already started for the upcoming season. Hear about the past winter season and what lies ahead for Team Eksjöhus.
“Our goal is to defend the victory in the Pro Team competition but also continue to develop individually and be in the fight for the Yellow bibs,” says Team Eksjöhus Pro Team Director Espen Träldal.
Team Eksjöhus completed its third season in Ski Classics during 2023/2024 winter and was ranked as the best Pro Team at the Pro Team competition Season XV with 2783 points, almost 600 points ahead of second place.
“One of the goals when Team Eksjöhus started was to become the world’s best long-distance ski team, and after fifth place the first season and fourth place the second, it was Team Eksjöhus that stood as the final winner in the Pro Team competition in the 2023/24 season,” says Träldal in a press release.
Also Read: The complete Pro Team Ranking Season XV
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With a solid Season XV, three individual wins, 19 podiums, and 78 top-ten results, the top of the podium was deserved.
“Of course, I have reflected and analyzed the past season a lot, but as a team, I can say that we have made a fantastic journey, and all skiers have raised their level. We want to maintain this level, but we also want to take new steps and win races on the men’s side,” says Espen Träldal, who manages the team, while coach and sports director Marthe Kristoffersen takes care of the skiers.
“We don’t settle just because we can call ourselves the best team in the world, but we want to improve constantly, both individually and as a team.”
According to the press release, Träldal is inspired by how modern companies are run and where skiers can take significant responsibility.
“We want to create that culture where everyone takes responsibility. It strengthens the skiers, builds cohesion, and ultimately strengthens performance. We have a good management team that keeps things together, but we believe in democracy and participation, not imposed roles.”
Summer training has already been planned, with the following team gathering in June and the season-opening in Eksjö in Småland, Sweden. Roller ski competitions are also on the calendar, with competitions in Norway and Sweden in August, plus training camps in Lillehammer in September, Mallorca in October, and Vålådalen in November before the Ski Classics Season XVI premiere in early December.
With a convincing season on the women’s side, securing second, third, and fourth overall in the Champion competition, key skiers, including Magni Smedås, Kati Roivas, Sofie Elebro, and Frida Erkers, have already secured contracts for next season. According to the Pro Team Director, “ensuring continuity and stability within the team.”
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A few weeks ago, a Swedish national team skier confirmed an agreement with Team Eksjöhus and will focus on Ski Classics.
The skier is Louise Lindström, who has won medals in both the U23 and Junior World Championships and debuted in Ski Classics earlier last winter.
Also Read – Swedish national team skier focuses on Ski Classics: “Very attractive offer”
According to Träldal, Thomas Ødegaarden, Eirik Sverdrup Augdal, Axel Jutterström, and Vebjørn Moen are currently under contract in the men’s side, with the potential for additional skiers to join the squad in the upcoming season.
“I have a lot of faith in these skiers, both women and men. For us, it’s about running the process forward and ensuring that the skiers are in an environment where they continue to develop. The women have been on the podium a lot and won races, but we also want to be at the top on the men’s side. We have skiers who are always high up but lack the wins. We need to keep the parts we are strong in and develop the parts where we have not been so good,” says Träldal.
“Then the prerequisite for being in the fight for the Yellow bibs is that the skiers are healthy and injury-free, can start all the races, and keep a high level. The capacity exists, and it was gratifying to see how Eirik beat Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and everyone else to win the 50km race at the Norwegian championships and how Magni finished third on the women’s side there.”
Read More: Crushed Klæbo on the 50-kilometer race
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With Stina Nilsson joining the Ski Classics circuit, Träldal sees a positive increase in competition on the women’s side and in Ski Classics in general.
“The interest in Ski Classics will increase, but it will also show the strength of the skiers here. It’s not easy for a traditional skier to enter and perform in Ski Classics; we’ve seen many examples. But the fact that traditional skiers are attracted to us shows that we are doing many things right.”
Read More – Pro Team Director about success: “We work hard together”
Top Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus
