The Aukland brothers are strengthening their Pro Team with two additional World Cup stars for the upcoming Ski Classics Season XVI. As a result, Team Ragde Charge could become the strongest Ski Classics Pro Team ever.

The 29-year-old, who debuted in long-distance racing in April by finishing second in one of Ski Classics’ toughest races, is one of two new World Cup stars headhunted by the Aukland brothers for their Pro Team this coming season.

German traditional cross-country skier Victoria Carl competed in both Ski Classics races in northern Norway during the first weekend of April this year. In her very first long-distance race, she made it onto the podium, finishing second at Reistadløpet, beaten only by the winner Astrid Øyre Slind.

Carl, who has previously been a multiple-time Junior World Champion and has an Olympic gold medal, won her first individual World Cup race this past season. She did so at the pre-Olympics in Trondheim, where she triumphed over 10km in extremely challenging conditions. Additionally, she was on the podium in six other World Cup races last season.

Also Read: Victoria Carl wins the World Cup 10km race in Trondheim

Carl already has both gold and silver from the 2022 Beijing Olympics in team sprint and relay, respectively. She also has a World Championship silver medal from Planica 2023, where Germany defeated the Swedish favorite team, which finished third.

One of Three World Cup Stars

However, Victoria Carl is only one of three World Cup stars on Team Ragde Charge’s women’s roster. In addition to the German World Cup star, Sweden’s Moa Lundgren from Åsarna has also signed with the Norwegian Pro Team.

The 26-year-old, originally from IFK Umeå, declined an agreement with the Swedish national team this spring. She decided to pursue a private career as part of Team Ragde Charge. Like Victoria Carl, Moa Lundgren has gold from the Junior World Championships and the U23 World Championships.

Read More: Moa Lundgren’s season plans

It should be noted that the main goal for both Carl and Lundgren is to peak at the World Championships in Trondheim, but they plan to compete in long-distance races when it fits their schedules, usually at the end of the season.

Additionally, it’s already known that Stina Nilsson has switched to long-distance skiing with Team Ragde Charge after previously focusing on biathlon. She will make her long-distance debut at this Sunday’s Klarälvsloppet to Karlstad.

Also Read: Klarälvsloppet live-streamed this weekend on SC Play

With this trio, Team Ragde Charge is one of the strongest women’s teams in Ski Classics – at least on paper.

Read More: Stina Nilsson debuts: “I’ve never skied 90 kilometers in a competition before”

Important for the Pro Team Competition

Pro Team Director Jørgen Aukland is very pleased to have secured Carl and Lundgren in addition to Stina.

“It’s very exciting. They come in and strengthen us in the team competition, which we normally don’t prioritize as highly. But both of the newcomers have proven that they are good at long-distance races and possess some abilities that allow them to compete right at the front from the start,” Jørgen told Langrenn.com.

“Victoria was with us for the double race weekend in northern Norway last season, and she found the races to be fantastic—a great experience. She also feels that long-distance racing makes her a better skier. Moa joined us in Orsa recently and performed well there. She is motivated. With her sprinting ability, she’s close to performing well in long-distance races,” said Jørgen Aukland.

Moa Lundgren suffered a severe injury on roller skis during Toppidrettsveka in Trondheim. How is she doing now?

“She’s on the right track, but head injuries should be taken seriously, especially in the beginning. However, things are starting to normalize.”

Neither Moa Lundgren nor Victoria Carl will participate in this weekend’s Klarälvsloppet in Sweden. However, the rest of Team Ragde Charge will race the 90km from Uddeholm to Karlstad on Sunday. It will also be Stina Nilsson’s first race for the team and her debut in such a long race.

Klarälvsloppet live-streamed this weekend on SC Play

On Sunday, September 22, the Ski Classics Challengers circuit continues with Klarälvsloppet, a 90-kilometer roller ski race in classic technique in Sweden. On SC Play, you can watch the event live from 8:45 CET. 

Klarälvsloppet is a 90km long-distance roller ski event in Karlstad. The event is Sweden’s longest roller ski race, and the course cuts right through the Värmland countryside following the river Klarälven, a 90km paved nature experience.

KLARÄLVSLOPPET – LIVE HERE ON SC PLAY!

The SC Play app is available to download for iOS, Android, and Apple TV. You can watch on your television, mobile device, and computer. SC Play is a part of The Ski Community and is accessible to all members on news sites ProXCskiing.com, Langd.se, Langrenn.com, and Maastohiihto.com. 

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