The Ski Classics Challengers event, Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race, took place this Saturday with a 46km long-distance race in classic technique in Bodø, Norway. Pro Team athletes dominated the race – check out the results.

After a fast race from the start and a morning full of action, the 46-kilometer-long Ski Classics Challengers event in Norway saw Thomas Ødegaarden and Magni Smedås, both from Team Eksjöhus, winning the Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race with outstanding performances and solo breakaways.

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MARCIALONGA ARCTIC SKI RACE – WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY

Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race – Men’s Event

Men and women started together at 12:00 CET, and the pace was fast from the gun with Vebjørn Moen, Team Eksjöhus, taking the lead and a group of five Pro Team skiers in the chase: Magnus Vesterheim, Team Kaffebryggeriet; Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, Erik Ola Jorde, Team NTNUI Sweco; Brian Holmstrøm, Valnesfjord IL; and Magnus Waaler, Team Front Rustad IL.

Høglia 2.4km – Split

1. Vebjørn Moen, 5:52.6
2. Brian Holmstrøm, +15.1
3. Erik Ola Jorde, +15.9

With 40km to go, the break was brought back, and a four-man group was formed, containing Ødegaarden, Vesterheim, Moen, and Waaler. A few kilometers later, with 35km to go, Waaler was struggling and could not follow the leading group.

Skihytta 13.3km – Split

1. Thomas Ødegaarden, 34:14.4
2. Vebjørn Moen, +0.4
3. Magnus Vesterheim, +1.1

With 28km to go, Thomas Ødegaarden got a break and quickly gained terrain over the chasers. With 19.1km into the race, he was already almost one minute ahead.

Junkerfjellet 19.1km – Split

1. Thomas Ødegaarden, 53:58.0
2. Magnus Vesterheim, +57.6
3. Vebjørn Moen, +58.2

Høglia 24.9km – Split

1. Thomas Ødegaarden, 1:06:17.1
2. Magnus Vesterheim, +1:03.0
3. Vebjørn Moen, +1:03.4

At the last split point, the race was theoretically decided, at least for first place on the podium.

Skihytta 35.8km – Split

1. Thomas Ødegaarden, 1:35:17.5
2. Magnus Vesterheim, +2:12.9
3. Vebjørn Moen, +2:13.4

At the end of today’s Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race, after a solo move, Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, won with a total time of 2:00:32.0.

A tactical sprint finish decided the last podium places, with Vebjørn Moen, Team Eksjöhus, finishing in second place, 4:35.0 behind the winner, followed by Magnus Vesterheim, Team Kaffebryggeriet, 4:37.0 back, and completing the podium in the third position.

Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race – Top 5 

1. Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, 2:00:32.0
2. Vebjørn Moen, Team Eksjöhus, +4:35.0
3. Magnus Vesterheim, Team Kaffebryggeriet, +4:37.0
4. Magnus Waaler, Team Front Rustad IL, +8:14.0
5. Hans Sandberg, +12:11.0

Full results can be found HERE

Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race – Women’s Event

Soon after a fast start, a solo breakaway by Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, was formed, marking the Pro Team skier as one of the main favorites for the win already at the beginning of the race.

Høglia 2.4km – Split

1. Magni Smedås, 6:16.6
2. Tale Bruheim Breding, +36.2
3. Hanna Sadholt Hansen, +46.1

Over the kilometers, Smedås increased the gap, and the closest chasers were Breding, 1:56 back, and the duo Hujerová and Hansen, 3:03 behind the leader.

Skihytta 13.3km – Split

1. Magni Smedås, 38:23.5
2. Tale Bruheim Breding, +1:56.1
3. Tereza Hujerová, 3:03.8

Junkerfjellet 19.1km – Split

1. Magni Smedås, 1:02:04.5
2. Tale Bruheim Breding, +3:14.8
3. Hanna Sandholt Hansen, +7:02.3

Høglia 24.9km – Split

1. Magni Smedås, 1:15:37.9
2. Tale Bruheim Breding, +4:28.7
3. Hanna Sandholt Hansen, +8:41.4

At the last split point, Smedås had a comfortable lead and could enjoy the last kilometers.

Skihytta 35.8km – Split

1. Magni Smedås, 1:48:34.2
2. Tale Bruheim Breding, +8:16.1
3. Oda Nerdrum, +12:26.8

At the end, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, showed a solid performance, winning the race in a solo breakaway from the start. The winner completed the Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race with a total time of 2:16:17.0.

Tale Bruheim Breding, Team Elon Midt Norge, finished in second place, 11:06.0 behind the winner, followed by Oda Nerdrum, Team Kaffebryggeriet, 14:41.0 back, and completing the podium in the third position.

Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race – Top 5 

1. Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, 2:16:17.0
2. Tale Bruheim Breding, Team Elon Midt Norge, +11:06.0
3. Oda Nerdrum, Team Kaffebryggeriet, +14:41.0
4. Hanna Sandholt Hansen, Team NTNUI Sweco, +16:44.0
5. Tereza Hujerová, Team Robinson Trentino, +21:17.0

Full results can be found HERE

Course Map & Profile

As the Marcialonga Arctic Ski Race 46km event is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team athletes could collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions.

Complete results of the event can be found here and here, and a list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for season 2023/2024 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.