Last Thursday, it was announced that Vasaloppet’s third-place finisher Emilie Fleten would leave Team XPND Fuel. Last Saturday, she was presented as Team Ramudden’s new signing: “I am very much looking forward to having Lina Korsgren as Pro Team Director,” says Fleten.

Last week was intense for Norwegian Emilie Fleten. On Thursday evening, she posted on her Instagram that she was leaving Team XPND Fuel.

Less than two days later, it was clear that the winter’s third place at Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet had chosen to continue her long-distance career with Team Ramudden.

Fleten was on site in Karlstad, Sweden, on Sunday, but chose not to take part in the 90km Klarälvsloppet:

“I have a slight feeling in a rib, but it has also been quite a stressful week where I left a team and chose to step into a new one. So, I felt that the load of competing in such a tough race was too much. In addition, we are starting a camp in Båstad on Monday, so I wanted to save my energy for that,” says Emilie Fleten when Langd.se met her at the finish line in Karlstad.

Why did you choose to compete for Team Ramudden?

“I am very keen to have Lina Korsgren as team manager. There are many good men who are leaders in good teams, but they have never raced a long race as a woman racer. Lina has been skiing in Ski Classics for many years, she has won the most important races, and she has the experience I want to achieve. I want to learn from her,” says Fleten.

What is the goal for the coming season?

“I want to take a step up and take my first victory in a race in Ski Classics. I have been on the podium many times but have not won. It would be a dream to be able to do it in one of the big races,” says Fleten.

Many talented skiers: such as, for example, your new Pro Team Director, Lina Korsgren, have chosen to retire for the upcoming season. Do you think the races will look different?

“I think it will be similar. Last winter, four or five women managed to get away. It may happen that there will be slightly fewer, but there will be many strong skiers. Magni Smedås and Silje Øyre Slind have joined. Then Astrid (Øyre Slind) has been extremely strong this summer. Ida (Dahl) showed class here at Klarälvsloppet. So it will be high class this winter too,” concludes Emilie Fleten.