A blend of Ski Classics Legends, experienced athletes, and young talent shapes the new-look Pro Team, aiming higher in the Ski Classics Season XVII.
The long-distance skiing world welcomes a reinvigorated force as Slavia Pojišťovna Robinson Trentino reveals its full roster for Ski Classics Season XVII. Backed by a new international sponsor and guided by the experienced leadership of Pro Team Director Bruno Debertolis and President Gianni Casadei, the Pro Team is determined to build on last season’s strong performance, where it claimed an impressive eighth place in the Pro Team Competition.
With five nations represented and a balanced mix of proven champions and rising talents, the Pro Team enters the new season with an enhanced international identity and clear ambitions.
Gjerdalen & Řezáč Lead Star-Studded Lineup
At the core of the updated roster are two iconic names in long-distance skiing: Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) and Stanislav Řezáč (CZE). Both Ski Classics Legends bring decades of racing expertise and leadership to the squad. Also returning is Gustav Eriksson (SWE), a consistent top performer and podium contender, along with Czech athletes Jan Šrail and Fabián Štoček, who bolster the team’s experience and reliability.
Spotlight on Youth and Development
Alongside its veteran athletes, Slavia Pojišťovna Robinson Trentino continues to invest in the future. Several athletes will be competing not only for overall results but also in the Youth Bib competition, emphasizing the team’s ongoing commitment to development.
This focus is reflected in the returning trio of Michaela Patscheider (ITA), Oda Nerdrum (NOR), and Tereza Hujerová (CZE), who have all raced under Debertolis’ guidance. The inclusion of French newcomers Simon Vuillet and Hanna Fine adds further depth and international flair to the youthful side of the roster.
Rounding out the team are legendary names like Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) and roller skiing standout Matteo Tanel (ITA), who, along with several other athletes, will primarily focus on Italian Granfondo events while remaining key figures in the team’s broader initiatives.
A Strategic Sponsorship and New Chapter
The partnership with Slavia Pojišťovna, a Czech-based insurance company with operations across Europe, marks a pivotal moment in the team’s journey. It originated organically during last winter’s campaign.
“The story is simple,” says Pro Team Director Bruno Debertolis in a press release. “We were contacted by Slavia after having supported, with no second intentions, some of their athletes last season – just because they were friends, like Gjerdalen and Řezáč, during Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet.
Our friendliness and willingness to help were likely noticed, and the athletes shared their positive experiences with the company’s management. At the end of the season, their president contacted me.”
The President, Pavel Sehnal, is one of the Czech Republic’s most prominent business figures, and the sponsorship was quickly confirmed after an open and constructive meeting.
“We met right away—he was very open despite being a well-known figure and owner of more than 50 companies. He confirmed the sponsorship. Of course, this also came with certain expectations, which we accepted. One of them was to help develop and promote top Czech athletes, in addition to working with Gjerdalen and Rezac, who are both Legends in Ski Classics.”
The added support enables the Pro Team to professionalize further and expand its visibility across Europe.
“It allows us to work better and possibly be more visible, especially in the Czech Republic, where they plan to push hard on the media side. That will also benefit our sponsors, especially the Trentino brand, our second main sponsor after Robinson.”
Looking Ahead: A Team with Vision
Despite changes in the Italian roster, President Gianni Casadei remains focused on the team’s long-term vision and its foundational principles.
“It was a great satisfaction to be contacted by a foreign sponsor. It was a recognition of the excellent work the team has done over the years. We’re a small team, but we have a big heart, skilled technicians, and concrete ideas from our team manager.”
Casadei reiterates that the mission remains unchanged, even as the team evolves:
“We will always remain faithful to our mission and will aim once again to finish in the top 10 of Ski Classics — and go even further than last season. The arrival of Slavia provides us with additional resources to face the entire season and allows us to look to the future with confidence, especially when it comes to developing young athletes. Surely, the two experienced athletes, Gjerdalen and Řezáč, will bring great value to the group.”
The visibility and expanded reach offered by the new partnership will also support the team’s sponsors and long-term growth plans:
“This agreement also brings more visibility to our other partners, especially in the Czech Republic. It was a well-thought-out deal. The main team will focus on results in Ski Classics, but we won’t leave the younger athletes behind. Soon, we’ll be announcing another important piece of news.”
With its first training camp scheduled at Passo Rolle, the team is preparing to kick off a new chapter — one shaped by experience, energy, and international collaboration — ahead of what promises to be a thrilling Ski Classics Season XVII.
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Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
