Astrid Øyre Slind (NOR) dropped her competitors on the brutal alpine hill and cruised to the finish in Orsa Grönklitt, winning the 33-kilometer Visma Ski Classics season opener by more than half a minute.

After a troubling 2020/21 season, she was unbeatable in the 33-kilometer opening event in the Visma Ski Classics in Orsa (SWE) on Sunday. 

“It’s so nice to feel that my body is finally playing along. Last year, every ski race was a drag, this year there is nothing I rather do than race,” Astrid Øyre Slind says after her impressive solo finish. 

While the 33-year-old Team Koteng Eidissen racer won the by a solid margin, she didn’t take the victory for granted before she crossed the finish line. 

“With all the wind, I was worried it would come down to a sprint, so I figured I had to get a gap early. It’s a hard way to win a race, because I ended up skiing almost a full lap alone,” Øyre Slind says.

Behind Øyre Slind, comeback kid Britta Johansson Norgren (SWE) and reigning overall Visma Ski Classics champion Lina Korsgren (SWE) fought a fierce battle for the rest of the podium. 

Former Olympian Marit Bjørgen of Team Ragde Charge was fifth. 

Top 3 women, Orsa Grönklitt 33km
1. Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Koteng Eidissen, 1:23:56.0
2. Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, +30.7
3. Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, +32.2

Complete results will follow when available