Ski Classics

Team Burger King – Northug enters Season XVIII with two of last season’s top five overall finishers on the roster: Torleif Syrstad, who finished third, and Magnus Vesterheim, who finished fifth.

Founded by Petter Northug Jr., who still races for the Pro Team, the squad wants to bring excitement to the circuit and inspire people to stay active and enjoy skiing. It combines top-level athletes with experienced skiers and developing talents and has set a clear target for the winter: at least one victory and three podium finishes.

Syrstad, the 2024 Vasaloppet winner, joins from Team Engcon after a season that included wins at Birkebeinerrennet and Marcialonga Bodø, and a second place at the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja.

Vesterheim comes in from Team Ramudden after the best season of his career. A year earlier, he had been close to retiring; last winter he finished fifth overall and beat several Ski Classics stars along the way.

Sandra Schützová joins after two years with Team Kaffebryggeriet DRIV. The Czech skier says racing for Northug’s team had long been a goal, and she already knows teammates Hedda Bångman and Maren Engeskaug Nielsen from earlier teams. Her best Ski Classics World Championship result so far is fourth place at the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja in March 2026. Last winter she also competed for the Czech Republic at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, where she finished 18th in the 50km classic.

Henrik Arntzen Joks arrives from Team Sjusjøen Langløp, while Bångman, Nielsen and Magnus Waaler continue, together with Northug himself.

Leopold Strand is also on the roster, fresh off winning the 10km classic and taking silver in the sprint at the 2026 Junior World Championships in Lillehammer.

With the new additions, a stronger group of women and Schützová filling the spot for a QCI athlete from outside Sweden and Norway, Team Burger King – Northug has a strong chance of finishing in the top three of the Pro Team competition in Season XVIII.