With the highly anticipated Pro Team Tempo event, the Ski Classics Pro Tour season kicks off in Bad Gastein, Austria. Season XV promises an exciting start as Pro Teams take the stage to showcase their new race suits, unveil sponsors, and introduce fresh recruits, demonstrating the true potential of their team colors.

Ski Classics – Pro Team Tempo Rules

The Ski Classics Pro Team Tempo event follows an interval start format with block starts, allowing one Pro Team to start at a time. The top-ranked Pro Teams are spread out over the course, with a four-minute gap between each block. The complete Pro Team is introduced at the start, with male athletes initiating the race and concluding after 6.3 km. 

Once the second male athlete from a Pro Team finishes, the female athletes from the same team embark on their competition, and the finishing time of the second-ranked female determines the classification.

Contenders for Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo Victory

The battle for victory is expected to unfold among some of the top Pro Teams from the previous season. Two Norwegian and four Swedish Pro Teams emerge as the primary contenders for the win.

Team Engcon, securing 1st place at the Pro Team Tempo last season, the Swedish team with athletes such as Ida Dahl, Hanna Lodin, Eddie Edström, Anton Elvseth, and Ole Jørgen Bruvoll, can show their form and secure an early season team win today. 

Team Ramudden, who secured 3rd place last season, is gearing up for another formidable winter campaign. Led by Pro Team Director Lina Korsgren, athletes such as Johannes Eklöf, Amund Riege, and Vasaloppet’s winner Emilie Fleten, among others, are poised to compete for victory this Saturday.

Team Eksjöhus, securing 4th place last season, sets its sights high for the upcoming season, aiming to clinch the Pro Team Tempo competition. With strong athletes like Morten Eide Pedersen, Kati Roivas, and Axel Jutterström, among others, Team Eksjöhus is a force to be reckoned with.

Lager 157 Ski Team, a Swedish powerhouse, boasts Yellow Champion bib winner Emil Persson and Pink Youth bib winner Karolina Hedenström. With the addition of Oskar Kardin, the team aims to achieve even better results this season.

From the Norwegian contingent, two teams stand out as contenders for victory at the Pro Team Tempo. Team Ragde Charge is a formidable force featuring top skiers Andreas Nygaard, Kasper Staadas, and Johan Hoel. On the women’s side, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs and Jenny Larsson are expected to be among the strongest competitors on the track.

Finally, Team Aker Dæhlie, securing the 2nd position in the Pro Team Tempo during Season XIV, aspires to take the top spot this season with their motto: “Team Aker Dahlie – One team achieving together.” Max Novak, Stian Hoelgaard, Petter Stakston, and Silje Øyre Slind make it one of the favorite teams to be the fastest over the 13 kilometers this Saturday.

SC Play

The start of Season XV is finally closing in. Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo is only a few hours away, starting the Pro Tour this Saturday, December 9. 

You can watch the Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo as a member of the SC Ski Community. 

A membership gives access to the streaming service SC Play, where you can watch the Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo and all the Ski Classics Pro Tour live-streamed events.

Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Facts

• Location: Sportgastein, Austria
• Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023
• Start Time: 9:30 CET 
• Distance: 13km Classic
• SC Play: Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo

Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo program, start lists, timing, and live streaming on SC Play can be found here.

Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Map & Profile

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com