The new Ski Classics season is just around the corner, and fans, professional teams, and skiers are eagerly looking forward to the challenges of the coming winter. At this stage, the focus is on predicting who will surprise us this season and which teams will maintain their positions in the intense competition. Here’s a look at the top Pro Teams for the upcoming season.
Last season’s top four teams—Team Eksjöhus, Team Ramudden, Team Ragde Charge, and Lager 157 Ski Team—will once again battle fiercely for supremacy in the Pro Tour. Among the challengers to these four, Sweden’s Team Engcon and Norway’s Team Aker Dæhlie are expected to make a strong push. Other teams are unlikely to contend for podium finishes or even come close.
Team Eksjöhus
Team Eksjöhus is strong on both the men’s and women’s sides. Among the women, Kati Roivas and Magni Smedås consistently landed on the podium last season, and with Sofie Elebro finishing fourth in the overall standings, the team demonstrated incredible depth. These athletes are expected to secure podium finishes and valuable points again this winter. However, Smedås’ potential focus on the Trondheim World Championships might impact the team’s points tally.
On the men’s side, the team’s top skiers are expected to take another step forward, with Axel Jutterström, Thomas Ødegaarden, Eirik Sverdrup Augdal, and Morten Eide Pedersen all poised to challenge for podium spots in nearly every race. While they face stiff competition from Team Ragde Charge’s formidable trio and other teams’ top skiers, Team Eksjöhus’ balanced and deep roster makes them the likely favorite for the overall team title again this year.
Also Read: Team Eksjöhus – Pro Team presentation Season XVI
Team Ramudden
Team Ramudden heavily relies on its star Emilie Fleten, who dominated last season with eight stage wins en route to claiming the series championship. Supporting her on the women’s side are Ida Palmberg and Julie Kvale Støstad, who will aim to contribute additional points. Among the men, Amund Riege and Herman Paus are striving to become consistent podium contenders, while Alfred Buskqvist is expected to bring in sprint points.
Read More: Team Ramudden – Pro Team presentation Season XVI
Team Ragde Charge
While Team Ragde Charge was dominant on the men’s side last season—sweeping the podium in the Champion competition—their women’s team struggled. To address this gap, they’ve brought in Swedish superstar and Olympic champion Stina Nilsson, who is transitioning from biathlon to long-distance skiing.
Last season’s overall winner Johan Hoel, runner-up Kasper Stadaas, and third-place finisher and legendary skier Andreas Nygaard are all still hungry for more success and glory. Nygaard, with a winning streak spanning eight years, is unlikely to see his run end this winter. However, the team’s lack of strong sprinters and promising young talent could hurt their overall results, meaning they are unlikely to compete for the overall team victory.
Lager 157 Ski Team
Lager 157 Ski Team is another strong contender for the podium in the Pro Team competition. Two seasons ago, Emil Persson was unbeatable, but he struggled to find his form last winter. If he can return to his previous level, he could dominate once again.
Runar Skaug Mathisen stepped up last season, winning the prestigious Marcialonga, and is eager for more victories. Veteran Oskar Kardin is still capable of medal-worthy performances, and the team also boasts one of the most promising young talents in the sport, 18-year-old Alvar Myhlback, who competes in both Ski Classics and traditional cross-country events.
On the women’s side, Karolina Hedenström won the youth competition and finished fifth overall. She is expected to improve further and could become a regular on the podium. Meanwhile, Jenny Larsson, who moved from Team Ragde Charge after a lackluster season, may find the spark she needs in this Swedish team.
For Lager 157 Ski Team to rise back into the top three, Persson must return to his peak form, and at least one woman must consistently contend for victories and podiums.
Also Read: Lager 157 Ski Team – Pro Team presentation Season XVI
Challengers: Team Aker Dæhlie and Team Engcon
Team Aker Dæhlie has the potential to break into the top three, as they have yet to realize their full potential.
On the men’s side, they have four skiers capable of podium finishes and even victories: Max Novak, Stian Hoelgaard, Petter Stakston, and Magnus Vesterheim.
On the women’s side, they boast one of the strongest skiers in the sport, Astrid Øyre Slind. However, Slind may focus on the World Championships, potentially sidelining Pro Tour races. Her sister Silje Øyre Slind is a solid backup, but this might not be enough in the highly competitive women’s field. While the team has a good chance of moving closer to the top, they are unlikely to claim overall victory.
Team Engcon remains a bit of a mystery. The team has immense potential but also faces significant questions. Former champion Ida Dahl struggled last season, while Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, who joined from Team Ragde Charge, failed to meet expectations. Rising star Hanna Lodin may not yet be ready to take on a leading role this season.
On the men’s side, hopes largely rest on Vasaloppet winner Torleif Syrstad, though Amund Hoel will contribute valuable sprint points.
In summary, the upcoming Ski Classics season promises fierce competition among the top Pro Teams.
Team Eksjöhus is the favorite, thanks to its depth on both the men’s and women’s sides, though Magni Smedås’ possible focus on the World Championships could impact their points. Team Ramudden relies heavily on Emilie Fleten’s dominance but faces challenges with overall depth in an increasingly competitive field.
Team Ragde Charge remains strong on the men’s side with legends like Johan Hoel, Kasper Stadaas, and Andreas Nygaard but lacks sprint specialists and young talent, which could limit their chances in the team standings. Additionally, Stina Nilsson has yet to prove herself as a successful long-distance skier. Lager 157 Ski Team’s success hinges on Emil Persson’s potential comeback, Alvar Myhlback’s rise, and Karolina Hedenström’s continued growth.
Challengers Team Aker Dæhlie and Team Engcon show promise, with stars like Max Novak, Astrid Øyre Slind, Torleif Syrstad, and Ida Dahl, but uncertainties remain.
Overall, Team Eksjöhus looks poised to lead, while Lager 157 Ski Team and Team Ragde Charge aim to stay competitive, and Team Ramudden may face challenges in maintaining their standing.
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)
- Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
- Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
- Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
- Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 12km
- Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 55km
- Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
- Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
- Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
- Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
- Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km
Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI
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