As the Ski Classics transition from Season XVI to XVII, it’s time to look at athletes leaving the Youth category and potentially entering the main age category for Season XVII.
The Youth category has consistently delivered some of the most exciting prospects in the Ski Classics circuit. With each season, several athletes grow out of this group and transition to the next stage.
In Ski Classics, the Youth category includes athletes aged 26 or under, based on the calendar year of the season’s finale. Once athletes surpass that age limit, they move to the main age category, competing head-to-head with the most experienced skiers without a separate classification for younger ages.
Also Read: Cubs To Youth – Pro Team athletes potentially moving up the ladder
Please note that the following names are eligible for main age status in Season XVII, but it is not yet confirmed if they will continue racing.
The End Of The Youth Path
In the Youth Pink bib competition, the following skiers, who competed in the Youth category during Season XVI, are now aging out and potentially advancing to the main age group:
- Elias Andersson, Ski Team Göhlins
- Sigrid Bye, Team Andiamo
- Lorenz Grüber, Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria
- Anna-Marie Hejná, eD system Vltava Fund Team
- Karen Marie Håkonsen, Sjusjøen Ski Team
- Leo Johansson, Ski Team Göhlins
- Henrik Arntzen Joks, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso
- Hanna Lodin, Team Engcon
- Ida Palmberg, Team Ramudden (Read More – Silly Season: Ida Palmberg hints at a new chapter)
- Michaela Patscheider, Team Robinson Trentino
- Jeremy Royer, Team Eksjöhus
- Henrik Vik Tolo, Team Synnfjell
- Matthias Waldauf, Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria
Among them, Jeremy Royer and Hanna Lodin had particularly strong seasons in the Youth standings. Royer finished 1st overall among Youth men, while Lodin was runner-up among Youth women.
Their progress into the main age field will be exciting to follow, as they face more seasoned competitors and look to make an impact beyond the Youth ranks.
Also Read: Final Ski Classics Standings Seaosn XVI – All Bib Winners
Stay tuned for our final piece in this series, covering the experienced skiers potentially entering the Vets category for Season XVII.
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Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
