This Norwegian Pro Team may not have the most striking names in Visma Ski Classics, but they have youth on their side. Every athlete was born in the latter part of the 90s, except Magnus Bleken who celebrates his 35^th birthday this January.

These young athletes took most of the last season off, but they have some experience in Visma Ski Classics from previous years. They still have time to improve their results, and they have shown potential.

Ole Eirik Fuglehaug Ekrem finished 51^st at Årefjällsloppet last winter while Magnus Bleken was active in Season X when he finished in the top-50 in some races. Kjetil Tyrom’s only race last season was Vasaloppet where he finished 131^st, but the year before he participated in six races, of which Kaiser Maximilian Lauf’s 42^nd place was his best. Halvor Korbøl Thoner skipped all Pro Tour events last winter, but he was quite active in 2020 with his best result from La Diagonela, 37^th.

The female skiers of the team Kristine Fjeld and Sigrid Bye are still dipping their toes in the water in Visma Ski Classics, but they have done some long distance events despite their young age. The former has crossed the finish line of Birkebeinerrennet four times and finished 38^th at Vasaloppet last winter while the later has completed Birkebeinerrennet a couple of times as a junior skier.

The team director Halvor Krobøl Thoner seems optimistic about his skiers’ chances in Season XII.

“They are all capable of reaching the top-30 in Visma Ski Classics this season. The team has a recruitment ambition. Our goal as a team is to be among the top ten in the Pro Team competitions and we are aiming for individual top ten positions.”

Pro Team director: Halvor Korbøl Thoner

Country: Norway

Ranking: 8.

Athletes: http://www.vismaskiclassics.com/pro-skiing/pro-teams/team-spatind/