Britta Johansson Norgren, Astrid Øyre Slind, and now Ida Dahl. Some of the most renowned names in Visma Ski Classics, but what makes them so good year after year?
It is not uncommon in the men’s field to have even ten different potential podium skiers in each race, while in the women’s field, the top contenders tend to remain more or less the same.
For example, this season 21/22 (Orsa to Reistadløpet), there have been ten different women on a podium, while on the men’s field, the respective number is 15. This season a record number of female athletes have been registered to Visma Ski Classics, and we decided to look at the essential requirements to become successful at Visma Ski Classics as a woman.
Statistics – Experience
Looking at the statistics, the average age between women podium skiers in season 19/20 was 32.85 years, season 20/21 33.25 years, and in the current season 31.50 years (until Årefjällsloppet). On the men’s side, the respective numbers are as follows: 31.0 years in 19/20, 31.27 years in 20/21, and 30.14 years this season (until Årefjällsloppet). This season alone, men have had eight different winners, while on the women’s side, only Øyre Slind, Johansson Norgren, Dahl, and Andersson have stood on the highest step.
Of the Youth category skiers, Ida Dahl is the only woman who has reached the podium, and besides her, three Pro Tour skiers under 26-years old have been in top10. To compare, in the men’s field, two skiers, Novak and Jutterström, have been on the podium, while in total, five different youth skiers have been in the top 10.
While experience does not make an athlete alone successful, it certainly plays a role. For example, on the women’s side, we should not forget Ida Dahl’s sensational season and what she has been able to achieve at a young age.
ProXCskiing.com asked Dahl what she thinks makes a long-distance athlete successful:
“I do not think it differs between men and women, but I think first and foremost, it is about finding a balance in life between exercise, recovery, and other parts of life that take energy.”
“Then find a training strategy that you feel inspired by and have the desire to implement because I think the training will be better if it feels fun and inspiring. I also think specific training mixed with alternative training to stimulate the heart in more ways than just double poling is an important factor.”
Next, we look at the race tactics and the depth of the field.
Different Race Tactics and the Depth of the Field
The field’s depth is still more significant in the men’s race, them often having around 100 starters in a race, while the women’s start field is about half of the size. Additionally, the gaps between female athletes tend to be bigger than in the men’s field.
Fast starts in the women’s races usually spread the field faster, leaving 4-6 women fighting for the podium. However, compared to a few years back, more contenders are fighting for the positions just outside the podium.
Moreover, perhaps due to the bigger field and depth, men often stay in larger groups and play more tactics, and it is not uncommon to see 20 men fighting for the podium. For example, at Birkebeinerrennet, the top 10 was within 3 seconds, while on the women’s side, we are talking about some minutes between the skiers.
Nonetheless, we should not forget that the level on the absolute top is exceptionally high, as Øyre Slind proved when she took a win at Birkebeinerrennet against Johaug, the best traditional cross-country skier in the world.
Changing – Record Number of Women in the Circuit
This season a record number of athletes have been registered to Visma Ski Classics, with a total of 117 female athletes, which is 35,2% of all athletes in Ski Classics. Long-distance skiing is gaining popularity among women.
To conclude, while there is no one factor alone that makes a female athlete successful, the training to become successful may not differ between men and women. The capacity to start fast, keep up the pace and make tactical moves early on during the race to create gaps, alongside the Pro Tour skier’s capacity, makes the best athletes podium contenders in each race.
However, maybe we will see this changing, the level rising, and competition becoming even tighter as more women enter the circuit.
