The Norwegian Pro Team, Team Koteng, consists of five Pro athletes for season XI.
“Our goal is to win the Pro Team competition,” says Pro Team Director Tore Bjørseth Berdal.
In season IX Team Koteng won the Pro Team competition. In season X they were in a big lead much depending on Astrid Øyre Slind’s strong opening of the season. Then there was some illness in the team and they ended up in third place behind Team Ragde Eiendom and Lager 157 Ski Team.
In season XI Team Koteng is aiming to be the best Pro Team again. With five Pro Team athletes that all can be on the podium, it’s an obvious goal.
Team Koteng is a strong but small team. After season X, Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes ended her skiing career. Tore himself also put his skis on the shelf this spring. Now he is working full time, studies a bit, and is also Pro Team Director.
Berdal did a good recruitment in Emilie Fleten from Team Ragde Eiendom as a replacement for Vikhagen Gjeitnes.
“Emilie lives just 200 meters apart from Astrid. It’s perfect! They train a lot together and it looks very promising for season XI,” says Berdal and continues;
“We would love to have one more athlete but we have not found one with the right caliber yet,” says Berdal.
Yes, it takes a high level to fit into this team:
Stian Hoelgaard was top ten I every race he did in season X and so close to a victory in Vasaloppet. Chris Jespersen won La Diagonela, Torleif Syrstad was third in Vasaloppet. Astrid Øyre Slind won La Venosta and La Diagonela and was second behind Vikhagen Gjeitnes in Marcialonga before she got ill. Emilie Fleten did an amazing race in Jizerská, finishing in second place.
Athletes:
ASTRID ØYRE SLIND
born on 02/09/1988
Skis: MADSHUS. Boots: ALPINA. Poles: KV+. Height: 172. Weight: 68.
EMILIE FLETEN
born on 06/09/1992
Skis: FISCHER. Boots: FISCHER. Poles: KV+. Height: 162. Weight: 60.
TORLEIF SYRSTAD
born on 04/11/1994
Skis: FISCHER. Boots: FISCHER. Poles: KV+. Height: 180. Weight: 79.
STIAN HOELGAARD
born on 09/25/1991
Skis: FISCHER. Boots: FISCHER. Poles: KV+. Height: 177. Weight: 76.
CHRIS ANDRÉ JESPERSEN
born on 10/18/1983
Skis: MADSHUS. Boots: ALPINA. Poles: KV+. Height: 184. Weight: 79.
Pro Team Director:
TORE BJØRSETH BERDAL/BERNHARD RØNNING
Website:
WWW.TEAMKOTENG.NO
Facebook:
TeamLangrenn
Instagram:
teamkoteng
