Germany’s Bruse Sauerland Ski Team completed its fourth season on the Ski Classics World Championship in Season XVII, finishing 22nd in the Pro Team Competition with 334 points.
Ski Classics spoke to Pro Team Director Lennert Versen to look back at the campaign, share what the squad is up to this summer, and look ahead to Season XVIII.
A fourth season of progress
Four seasons into their Ski Classics World Championship journey, Bruse Sauerland Ski Team continued on an upward trajectory in Season XVII. The season brought multiple personal best results for athletes across the squad, and the team came away with a stronger foundation than ever before.
“Our fourth season in Ski Classics went successfully, and the positive development of the team continued,” says Pro Team Director Lennert Versen.
As with any team where all athletes balance racing with full-time work or study, the season came with its share of challenges. But according to Versen, those obstacles only made the group stronger: “Of course, a team of our size, where all athletes work or study alongside competing, has to overcome challenges. We emerge stronger from dealing with them.”
Two athletes stood out in particular. Lassi Juhanoja delivered a strong performance at Birkebeinerrennet, while Anton Schaper made an impressive debut on the Pro calendar in his first season. “Particularly noteworthy are Lassi Juhanoja with his strong performance at Birkebeinerrennet, and Anton Schaper, who left a very convincing impression in his first season,” Versen says.
Summer training and a new sponsor
The athletes are currently in the middle of their summer training program. Following the Alliansloppet, a Ski Classics Challengers event, the team will gather in Sweden for a training camp that almost all athletes are expected to attend.
A highlight on the autumn calendar is the team’s annual training weekend in Attendorn at the end of September. The centerpiece is the Asten-Rollen, a 72km roller skiing route from Attendorn through the Sauerland region to the Kahlen Asten, a tradition that perfectly captures the spirit of the team’s roots.
On the sponsorship front, there is positive news. Alongside main and naming sponsor Bruse, the team welcomes Cryotherm as a new and significant partner. Cryotherm is the German market leader for vacuum super-insulated cryogenic components.
A reshaped lineup for Season XVIII
Season XVIII will bring significant changes to the women’s roster. Jenny Ramstedt, who competed in all four of the team’s Pro seasons, has ended her Pro Team career. Caroline Olsson and Madelene Nord have also left the squad. Two new athletes join in their place: Jennifer Antell and Agnes Öhrn.
On the men’s side, John Hermansson and Lars Völter strengthen the group. Together with Lassi Juhanoja, Anton Schaper, Henric Thunander, and Rudolf Dohnal, the team fields a broad and competitive lineup heading into the new season.
On the Season XVIII calendar, Versen welcomes the mix of established and new events: “The calendar for the coming winter offers a good mix of established big races, including the season opener in Bad Gastein, as well as new races, some of which take place on familiar courses.”
Bruse Sauerland Ski Team can be followed on Ski Classics at Bruse Sauerland Ski Team, on Instagram at @sauerlandskiteam, and on Facebook at SauerlandSkiTeam.
Also Read: Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII
Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII (2026/2027)
• Event 1: December 11, 2026 – Bad Gastein Prologue – Austria – 1km
• Event 2: December 13, 2026 – Sportgastein Criterium – Austria – 30km
• Event 3: December 19, 2026 – Bad Gastein ITT – Austria – 7km
• Event 4: December 20, 2026 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Austria – 36km
• Event 5: January 16, 2027 – Engadin La Diagonela – Switzerland – 55km
• Event 6: January 17, 2027 – Zuoz–St. Moritz Sprint – Switzerland – 30km
• Event 7: January 31, 2027 – Marcialonga – Italy – 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2027 – Bedřichov Heat Sprint – Czech Republic – 1.5km
• Event 9: February 14, 2027 – Jizerská50 – Czech Republic – 50km
• Event 10: February 27, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Women – Sweden – 30km
• Event 11: February 28, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Men – Sweden – 30km
• Event 12: March 7, 2027 – Vasaloppet – Sweden – 90km
• Event 13: March 20, 2027 – Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – 53km
• Event 14: April 3, 2027 – Reistadløpet – Norway – 35km
• Event 15: April 4, 2027 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Norway – 60km
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Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
