Top Pro Team secures Norwegian breakthrough talent ahead of season’s end.

Before the season began, Julie Kvale Støstad dreamed of a top 5 finish. The reality turned out to be much better: a victory, three podium finishes, and a fourth place in Vasaloppet, along with a second place overall in the Ski Classics Sprint competition.

When Støstad reflects on a highlight from the past season, she finds it hard to choose between her sprint victory before Jizerská and her fourth place in Vasaloppet. 

“I would love to say that my victory in the Czech Republic was the highlight of the winter. It was my first win as a skier and my first podium finish. But the fourth place in Vasaloppet is much bigger,” says the 27-year-old from Krokstadelva to Langrenn.com.

Støstad was just half a minute away from the podium and beat superstar Stina Nilsson by over a minute. 

Additionally, she finished second in Tjejvasan, third in Holmenkollmarsjen, and fifth in Marcialonga. 

“All in all, it was a good season,” says Støstad. 

Also Read: Back on track after tough season

Shock announcement the day after Vasaloppet

However, the day after her triumph in Vasaloppet, Støstad learned that her team would be disbanded three weeks later. The news hit her hard. 

“It was, of course, very, very sad. We might have seen it coming, but we have become a family, so it feels strange,” says Støstad.  

However, the cross-country talent did not stay without a team for long. After the announcement of the disbandment, offers poured in. Just a couple of weeks later, the former football player had secured a new, lucrative contract. 

“I signed the contract before Reistadløpet. It was very nice to have that settled and to enter the last race weekend knowing what the plan for next season is,” says Støstad. 

Which Pro Team it is, she will not reveal until the team announces it themselves. But she hints that it is one of the biggest teams. 

This is the second time in her three-year skiing career that the long-distance talent has been headhunted by one of the top teams in Ski Classics. The first time was two years ago when Team Ramudden recruited her from Team Næringsbanken.

Read More – Team Ramudden: Swedish powerhouse Pro Team to shut down

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Loves to train

Langrenn.com speaks with Støstad during a snack break on her way to Easter celebrations in Røldal with her partner Gaute Kvåle. 

Even though Ski Classics is over and the season is winding down, Støstad is bursting with motivation. 

“I love to train, even more than competing,” she says eagerly. 

“I look forward to each day when I get to go out and train. It’s about moving and testing what my body is capable of.” 

Last year, Støstad had the opportunity to measure her strength against Olympic champion Frida Karlsson in Tenerife.

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Enormous development 

The next season has already started, marking her fourth year as a dedicated cross-country skier. 

Her development over the past three years has been remarkable. 

Before Støstad joined Næringsbanken, she was a professional football player and had barely skied. But already in her first season, she was regularly among the top ten. 

Now, after her third season as a skier, she stands with a seventh-place overall in Ski Classics. This is a solid step up from her tenth place last year, and ahead of established stars like Stina Nilsson and Kati Roivas, who have previously been on the overall podium in Ski Classics. 

What do you think is the key to your progress? 

“I haven’t been sick or injured, so I’ve been able to train continuously. I try to eat healthily and make my body as strong as possible. Throughout my three years of dedication, I haven’t missed a single race, so I must have a good immune system,” she says, continuing:

“And Lina (Korsgren from Team Ramudden, editor’s note) has structured my training smartly. She deserves part of the credit. This year, I’ve rested a bit more than I usually do, and I think that has been wise.”

What do you see as your main strengths? 

“I’m tough. I’m better at hanging on than maintaining my own pace, and this winter I’ve also shown that I have speed.” 

What will be the most important thing for you to work on moving forward to build on this season? 

“I need to improve in uphill sections. And I will work more on the speed I have shown I possess.”

What is your goal for next season? 

“Now I want to be on the podium at least once. Vasaloppet seems to suit me well, so it’s a goal to be on the podium there.”

Julie Støstad has already been on the podium in Alliansloppet, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious roller ski races, and a Ski Classics Challengers event. However, achieving the same in the Ski Classics Pro Tour is something different, she says. 

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