Last weekend, the Norwegian Pro Team athlete sprinted past the world elite at Alliansloppet and secured her first Ski Classics Challengers podium. In just three months, she has made significant strides. 

The former professional soccer player burst onto the long-distance skiing and Ski Classics scene last year, and already halfway through her debut season, she received an offer from one of the top Ski Classics Pro Teams. 

Three months after Julie Kvale Støstad formally joined Team Ramudden, she sprinted past the entire world elite at Alliansloppet, finishing in second place in one of the season’s most prestigious roller ski races, just three-tenths of a second behind long-distance star Magni Smedås. 

“This is by far the biggest thing I’ve done in my career so far. It gives me enormous motivation to continue training now,” says the 26-year-old from Krokstadelva, who is now in her second season as a Pro Team skier. 

Previously, her best finishes in Ski Classics were seventh place at Birkebeinerrennet, Engadin La Diagonela, and La Venosta Criterium from her debut season (2023/2024). 

Also Read: Former soccer player signed with Team Ramudden

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Støstad credits much of her success at Alliansloppet to her new teammate Emilie Fleten. The Vasaloppet winner, who also won Ski Classics overall with a considerable margin, led the sprint for the young skier. 

“The initial plan was to help Emilie create a gap so she could ski alone to victory. But the others were quite strong so that we couldn’t manage that. Then she (Emilie) said it was my turn,” Støstad tells Langrenn.com. 

Støstad seized the opportunity with both hands. She crossed the finish line one-tenth of a second ahead of Finnish Pro Team star Kati Roivas, three-tenths ahead of Swedish Hanna Lodin, and just three-tenths behind the winner Magni Smedås.

Full results from Alliansloppet 2024 can be found HERE 

Teamwork is something Støstad values highly and one of the things she was most excited to experience when she joined the Swedish Pro Team. 

“The cooperation in our team is excellent, both on the women’s and men’s sides. It’s very different from where I came from, where it was more ‘everyone for themselves,’” says Støstad. 

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It’s the biggest thing you’ve done, but at the same time, you were just three-tenths of a second from winning. Was it bitter to lose the victory? 

“Well, when it came down to so little, it was very disappointing. I know I have a good sprint, and when everyone came together in the final stretch, I believed I could do it. But I can’t be unhappy with second place when I’ve never been this close.” 

Was there anything you could have done differently? 

“It’s hard to say. It was a tough sprint, and everyone was very even. But I might have stayed behind a little longer before going out for the final sprint,” says Støstad, adding: 

“But it was still a lot of fun.” 

The 26-year-old has made significant strides since joining Team Ramudden. 

What have you done this summer? Why is this happening now? 

“I’ve simply trained more and better.” 

Changed training 

After the first Ski Classics season and the encouraging results, Støstad has intensified her training this year, incorporating systematic altitude training into her preseason preparations. Previously, she had only trained at altitude in connection with races at high altitudes. She had also never conducted specific technique training or physical tests like lactate and oxygen uptake on roller skis. 

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What have you done differently this season compared to last year? 

“Quite a lot, actually. The type of training isn’t so different, but I’m training more volume, with more long sessions, and most workouts now last between three and four hours. I’ve also been on altitude training camps and found that I respond very well to it,” says Støstad, explaining further: 

“After the altitude camp this summer, my heart rate is much lower during easy training. This means I can maintain a higher pace at the same intensity level as I normally train and feel like I can go longer at a high heart rate. It’s very exciting. We’re now planning another altitude camp at the end of October.” 

How much do you train with Emilie Fleten and the rest of the team? 

“Not much with Emilie outside of camps since she lives in Östersund. But she’s good at teaching and very kind. So, I’m trying to learn as much as I can. And I get excellent follow-up on training from the team.” 

What are your ambitions for the season, and have they changed after Alliansloppet? 

“It’s a bit different skiing on snow compared to roller skis, so I haven’t changed my goals for the season because of this. The main goal is still to achieve a top 5 finish.” 

How far do you feel you are from the podium in Ski Classics now? 

“There’s still a way to go. Those at the top are extremely good.” 

Read More: Christmas talk with Julie Kvale Støstad

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