The Ski Classics Sprint competition demands exceptional sprinting ability and extreme endurance, as the sprint points are often located far from the starting line, and there are typically two intermediate sprints during the race. Skiers must also continue to the finish line after competing for sprint points, requiring strong mental and physical resilience.
For many sprinters, the goal is to use sprint racing as a pathway to becoming well-rounded skiers capable of competing for overall podium finishes, as has been exemplified by Ski Classics Legend Andreas Nygaard.
Sprint racing also requires strategic planning by Pro Teams, as they must choose the most suitable athletes for the race, knowing this might compromise their chances in the overall race. Particularly in the men's race, tactical awareness plays a critical role. In the women's competition, sprint points are often claimed by leading skiers who have already broken away from the main pack early in the race.
Last season, overall champion Emilie Fleten of Team Ramudden won the women's sprint competition. Anniken Gjerde Alnaes of then Team Ragde Charge (now with Team Engcon) secured second place. In previous seasons, Alnaes focused entirely on sprint racing, but last winter, she aimed to succeed in the overall competition, a goal she did not fully achieve. Magni Smedas of Team Eksjohus finished third despite not concentrating on the sprint race; her breakaways earned her valuable points, as they did for Fleten, the winner.
This season, new names may emerge in the women's sprint competition, depending on how teams allocate responsibilities among their athletes. For example, Frida Erkers of Team Eksjohus, who placed sixth in last year's sprint competition, might take on the task of collecting sprint points, given the number of podium-caliber skiers in her team. Similarly, other skiers could rise to prominence this winter, making it exciting to see how the women's sprint competition develops over the season.
On the men's side, there have traditionally been more skiers specializing in sprint racing. Last season's top three--Amund Hoel of Team Engcon, Alfred Buskqvist of Team Ramudden, and Simen Ramstad of Team Kaffebryggeriet DRIV--are likely to be contenders again, tasked with fighting for valuable sprint points. A strong challenger to this trio could be Vebjorn Moen of Team Eksjohus, who focused on the sprint competition last season, finishing seventh overall in this category.
There is always room for dark horses, which are difficult to predict at this stage. One potential contender for sprint points could be Johan Tjelle of Team Engcon, especially if his team prioritizes this role for him. Tjelle scored enough points last season to finish 10th in the sprint standings.
Kasper Stadaas and Johan Hoel of Team Ragde Charge, along with Amund Riege of Team Ramudden--who respectively placed fourth to sixth in this category last season--are not primarily focused on sprint racing but will likely collect points when it aligns with their overall strategy during the races. For these three athletes, overall podium finishes remain the primary goal of the season.
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com
- Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 -Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI - Bad Gastein, Austria
- Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Bad Gastein ITT - Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
- Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Bad Gastein Criterium - Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 - 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon - Sexten, Italy, 60km
- Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 - La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago - Val Venosta, Italy, 12km
- Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Engadin La Diagonela - Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 55km
- Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 - Marcialonga - Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 - Jizerska50 - Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 - Gronklitt Criterium 61 - Orsa Gronklitt, Sweden, 61km
- Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 - Gronklitt ITT - Orsa Gronklitt, Sweden, 12km
- Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 - Vasaloppet - Salen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 - Birkebeinerrennet - Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Marcialonga Bodo - Bodo, Norway, 50km
- Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 - Reistadlopet - Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
- Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 - Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja - Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km
Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI
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Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
