In an impressive finish at the twelfth event of Ski Classics Season XIV from Rena to Lillehammer in Norway, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, secured third place in the thrilling Birkebeinerrennet.
This achievement puts Smedås back on the podium and in the running for the Yellow Champion bib overall, with only 55 points separating her from the current leader, Ida Dahl, Team Engcon.
At the race, Dahl finished second, while Smedås made a comeback to claim third place, despite being at some point of the race over two minutes behind Vasaloppet winner Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, who finished fifth.
“Magni responded with a fantastic finish and impressed with how she tactically set up the race and went according to her own ability. She had good skiing and could conserve energy, so she still could take back the yellow bib. It will be an exciting finish in a couple of weeks,” says Espen Trädal, Team Eksjöhus Sports Director, in a press release.
Watch here Magni Smedås’ interview after Birkebeinerrennet.
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Frida Erkers also had a great race, finishing in eleventh place, while Sofie Elebro finished in 26th. In addition, Team Eksjöhus had two extra skiers, Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, who finished 14th, and Julie Jeistad, who finished 38th.
“Frida did a great race but didn’t manage to keep up. But an eleventh place is clearly good,” says Träldal.
Despite Axel Jutterström being forced to withdraw after seven of the 54 kilometers in the Norwegian forests due to stomach problems, Eirik Sverdrup Augdal finished in 13th place, making a fantastic effort in the highly competitive field. Joel also had a solid race, finishing in 50th place.
“I think he is making a fantastic effort and made a valiant attempt. Unfortunately, he had to do a lot of work in the bunch, but he could fight at the top of many races with the right training. Joel also had a solid race and finished in 50th place in a tough competition with many talented skiers.”
The next event in the Ski Classics is the Reistadløpet over 40 kilometers, followed by the season’s final race at Summit 2 Senja. Team Eksjöhus will eagerly await these races, hoping to continue their success and climb the rankings in the Ski Classics’ overall standings.
The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)
- Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
- Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
- Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km
- Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
- Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
- Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km
- Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
- Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
- Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.
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Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
