Astrid Øyre Slind and Valentin Haag are the winners at La Sfida 2026

by Leandro Lutz • 18.01.2026
Astrid
The Ski Classics Challengers event, La Sfida, took place this Sunday with a 23km long-distance freestyle skiing race in Zuoz, Switzerland. Check out the results.

The Ski Classics Challengers event, La Sfida, took place this Sunday with a 23km long-distance freestyle skiing race in Zuoz, Switzerland. Check out the results.

After a day full of action, one of the Ski Classics Challengers events in Switzerland, La Sfida, saw a fierce battle for all the podium places. Ultimately, Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, and Valentin Haag, Sv Kirchzarten/PHWE XC Team, won their respective races with solid performances.

La Sfida – 23km Women’s Race 

In the women’s competition, Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, was the winner, completing the event in 1:01:19.8.

Julia Angelsiöö, Ski Team Göhlins, finished second, 4:27.6 back, followed by Lea Niedhart, Nordic Club Liechtenstein, 6:28.7 back, completing the podium in third place.

Top 3 Women

  1. Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, 1:01:19.8
  2. Julia Angelsiöö, Ski Team Göhlins, +4:27.6
  3. Lea Niedhart, Nordic Club Liechtenstein, +6:28.7

Full results can be found HERE

La Sfida – 23km Men’s Race

In the men’s event, the winner, Valentin Haag, Sv Kirchzarten/PHWE XC Team, completed the race in a time of 57:44.4.

Juuso Mäkelä, Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team, finished in second place, 3.3 seconds behind, followed by Markus Köcheler, Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team, completing the podium in third position and 15.9 seconds back.

Top 3 Men

  1. Valentin Haag, Sv Kirchzarten/PHWE XC Team, 57:44.4
  2. Juuso Mäkelä, Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team, +3.3
  3. Markus Köcheler, Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team, +15.9

Full results can be found HERE

As La Sfida is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team registered athletes could collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. 

Complete results of La Sfida can be found here and here, and a list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for the season 2025/2026 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.  

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentary.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

Banner 2024

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER

Show sharing buttons

Subscribe to our newsletter

Most read

  • poles technique
    1

    Technique expert warns: “For every centimeter of incorrect pole length, you lose time”

    by Ingeborg Scheve/Translated by Katerina Paul
    04.03.2026
  • 20.01.2023, Zuoz Switzerland (SUI): Chris Andre Jespersen (NOR), Astrid Oyre Slind (NOR), (l-r) - Ski Classics La Diagonela, Zuoz (SUI).
    1

    Coach leaving Team Aker Dæhlie

    by Ingeborg Scheve
    11.05.2026
  • Fleten Team Engcon
    1

    Team Engcon presents lineup for Ski Classics Season XVIII

    by Maja Eriksson/Leandro Lutz
    02.05.2026
  • roller skiing
    1

    Injury-free roller skiing: Top tips from Petter Eliassen

    by André Santos/Leandro Lutz
    16.05.2025
  • Stadaas
    1

    Marcialonga Season XVII: Men’s preliminary results

    by Leandro Lutz
    25.01.2026

More Articles

  • Anna Gandler

    Young talent breaks from Austrian national team over internal changes

    Anna Gandler is one of the brightest young talents in biathlon. Now she has made a decision that is set to shape her season.
    by Luisa Griessbaum
    17.06.2026
  • Why train at high altitude?

    by Mattis Basille
    17.06.2026
  • De Fabiani hangs up his skis

    by Leandro Lutz
    16.06.2026
  • From crisis to comeback at Madshus

    by Langrenn.com
    16.06.2026
  • CYCLING TRAINING: Easy aerobic ride – building your base one hour at a time

    by ProXCskiing.com
    16.06.2026