Today in a press release, Team Næringsbanken and Langløp AS announced that they entered into a cooperation agreement with the Norwegian company Stora Enso Skog AS. With international Pro Tour skiers from Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, and Norway, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso has set the goal of succeeding at both Vasaloppet and other Ski Classics events in the upcoming seasons.

“We have been involved in Ski Classics since 2015 and have managed to assert ourselves more every year. The interest in long-distance in Norway and across the globe is only getting bigger, and the development of Ski Classics over the past five to six years has been formidable,” says Arnt Nyborg, Pro Team Director for Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso.

“The collaboration with Stora Enso Skog AS gives us even greater opportunities to work professionally. Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso aims to develop its top skiers and be attractive to other Ski Classics skiers in the ‘world’s elite,‘” added Nyborg.

Good Ambassadors For The Team And Sport

Stora Enso Skog AS CEO Stig Hellerud, has high expectations for the collaboration.

“Stora Enso Skog has been a sponsor of Langløp AS for many years, and we have seen a growing interest in long-distance. At the same time, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso is from the Inland region of Norway, where the company is based. In addition, there is a transfer of sponsorship to the Stora Enso group for the World Championship in the Nordic disciplines (cross-country skiing, ski jump, and Nordic combined), which means that this will attract a lot of attention,” commented Hellerud.

Vasaloppet and the Birkebeinerrennet occur in areas where Stora Enso buys timber and will help strengthen the Stora Enso brand.

“Traditionally, forestry work has been used as basic training by the old cross-country skiers. Cross-country skiing has a long tradition in Norway and is a popular sport for many. Our expectations for the collaboration are that the athletes are good ambassadors for the team and sport. I hope all the athletes experience development and progress during the season – there is much that can be transferred from top sport to business that I hope we can develop together,” added Hellerud.

A Rising Star

Finnish Kati Roivas is a new star on the Pro Team. She had a good season last year and is at the world’s top in long-distance cross-country. Roivas comes from Team Nordic Experience.

“I had two great years with Team Nordic Experience and learned a lot about long-distance skiing, for which I am grateful. But now, I am ready for the next step in my skiing career, and I think Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso can offer me that. Our training sessions so far show how we have different strengths that we can benefit from by working together,” says Kati Roivas.

“For a diverse team with several nationalities, it is great that Stora Enso, as one of the world’s largest forest industry companies, is involved. In fact, Stora Enso was our club sponsor when I was a junior skier in Finland, so it is fun that the circle “closes” in that way,” says Kati. Her focus is to become a more stable top 10 skier in the Pro Tour so she can keep up with the leading group.

“I am very happy if I can reach the top five this coming season,” added Roivas.

The new coach at Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso is the former long-distance cross-country skier Simen Engebretsen Nordli.

These are the team members at Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso 2022/2023

• Andrew Musgrave
• Sivert Bergan
• Henrik Arntzen Joks
• Haakon Holden
• Mathias Aas Rolid
• Barbro Sætha
• Marie Renè Sørum Gangsø
• Julia Angelsiöö Kati Roivas

Team Norsk Gran 2022-23 (Recruit team)

• Halvor Korbøl Thoner
• Karen Marie Håkonsen
• Ole Eirik Fuglehaug Ekrem

In addition, 3-4 local young skiers will be selected for the recruit team already next week.

For further comments or questions, please contact

• Team Manager Arnt Nyborg, tlf. +47 958 41 495, e-mail: arnt_nyborg@hotmail.com 
• CEO Stora Enso Skog AS Stig Hellerud, tlf. +47 950 04 444, e-mail: stig.hellerud@storaenso.com