The Swedish Pro Team Eksjöhus enters Season XVII with a powerful international lineup featuring athletes from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and France. After securing 1st place in the Pro Team ranking last winter, the squad now looks forward to defending its title and continuing as the world’s best long-distance skiing team.

With ten Pro Team athletes — four women and six men — Team Eksjöhus brings together experience, talent, and a winning mentality. For Season XVII, the roster includes five athletes from Norway, three from Sweden, one from Finland, and one from France: Kati Roivas (1994), Louise Lindström (2000), Sofie Elebro Lind (1993), Magni Smedås (1995), Morten Eide Pedersen (1987), Eirik Sverdrup Augdal (1995), Thomas Ødegaarden (1998), Axel Jutterström (1998), Vebjørn Moen (1998), and Jérémy Royer (1999).

“Long-term vision, team spirit, and experience will make Team Eksjöhus one of the world’s best long-distance teams,” states the team’s motto — and few would disagree.

Men of experience and consistency

The men’s side is packed with podium capacity and strength. Morten Eide Pedersen has been part of Ski Classics since its inception and remains one of the Tour’s most experienced athletes. A three-time winner of Jizerská50, Pedersen returned to form last season with a 4th place at the Bad Gastein Criterium and three top 10 results overall, finishing 12th in the Champion competition.

Eirik Sverdrup Augdal was the team’s best male performer, ranking 6th overall in the Champion competition. He celebrated four podiums — winning Marcialonga Bodø and Reistadløpet, finishing 2nd at Grönklitt Criterium, and 3rd at the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja. If he continues on this trajectory, Augdal will be a solid contender for a top three overall finish in Season XVII.

Thomas Ødegaarden followed closely with a 9th place overall in the Champion competition, earning podiums at Marcialonga Bodø (3rd) and Reistadløpet (2nd), and achieving eight top 10 finishes. He is expected to be a key threat to the leading Pro Team athletes once again.

Axel Jutterström, ranked 10th overall and just nine points behind Ødegaarden, proved to be one of the most consistent skiers last season, finishing in the top five in eight Pro Tour events. With podiums at the Bad Gastein Criterium, Grönklitt Criterium, and Marcialonga Bodø, the Swedish skier is clearly among the most reliable performers in the circuit.

Vebjørn Moen, last season’s Sprint competition winner, brings crucial depth to the squad. He consistently scores Sprint points and secured solid distance results, such as 20th at Birkebeinerrennet and 21st at both Marcialonga and Grönklitt Criterium.

French skier Jérémy Royer had an impressive season with Team Eksjöhus last winter, capturing the Youth bib title and finishing 15th in the Champion competition. He was frequently near the top ten, with standout results including 6th at Engadin La Diagonela and 8th at Reistadløpet — a remarkable season that confirms his potential.

Women ready to fight for victories

The women’s lineup is equally impressive, capable of challenging for wins and podiums at every event.

After a season disrupted by illness, Ski Classics Legend Magni Smedås is back in full training and aiming for a strong comeback. Despite limited starts last winter, she showed her class with 2nd at the Bad Gastein ITT and 6th at the Bad Gastein Criterium, later confirming her returning form with victory at the Ski Classics Challengers event, Alliansloppet, this summer.

Kati Roivas, one of the most successful Finnish athletes in Ski Classics history, also had a challenging Season XVI. Two seasons ago, she stood on the podium seven times, including her historic win at Tjejvasan — the first ever by a Finnish skier — and 3rd place at Vasaloppet. Last season, she finished 22nd overall but remained competitive, completing all seven Pro Tour events in which she participated, with a top nine finish in each, including 4th place at Engadin La Diagonela as her best result. If Roivas and Smedås return to full form, they’ll again be podium contenders in nearly every race.

Sofie Elebro Lind enjoyed a consistent season, finishing 15th in the Champion competition, with results ranging from 9th to 17th, and a strong performance at the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja. She aims to solidify her status as one of Ski Classics’ most solid athletes.

Louise Lindström, the youngest member of the women’s squad, continues her rise after an outstanding Season XVI. She finished 6th overall in the Champion competition and claimed the Youth bib title. With several near-podium finishes — 4th at Grönklitt ITT and Birkebeinerrennet, 5th at Vasaloppet and the Grand Finale Summit to Senja, and six more top six results — Lindström has already proven that she belongs among the elite and has the potential to reach even higher this winter.

United by determination

With a perfectly balanced mix of experience, talent, and determination, Team Eksjöhus stands once again as the benchmark in Ski Classics. Expect them to remain at the forefront of the action throughout Season XVII — challenging for overall and bib titles across multiple categories.

Also Read: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026

Team Eksjöhus

• Country: Sweden
• Pro Team Director: Espen Trældal
• Pro Team Ranking (Season XVI): 1st
• Website: Team Eksjöhus
• Instagram: Team Eksjöhus
• Facebook: Team Eksjöhus

Pro Team Athletes

*Youth
**Cubs

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.

Author: Leandro Lutz
Top Photo: NordicFocus