The Norwegian Ski Association has extended offers for national team positions to 11 men and 11 women. These are the athletes who are in the running.

The Norwegian Ski Association is offering three new men and three new women spots on the national team for the upcoming season. Several of them are now seeking exemptions from the national team.

There is still little clarity about what they would be committing to if they accept: the sports program, coaching arrangements, and details about the national team model are topics the Ski Federation is not yet ready to discuss.

“This makes it difficult for the athletes to make a well-considered decision. It also complicates things for us as coaches in a system where they have succeeded, to guide them,” says prominent coach Stian Berg from Team Olympiaparken to Langrenn.com.

The athletes must respond to the Ski Association by Friday, just under two days after receiving the offer.  

Men’s National Team

According to several media reports, Emil Iversen is among the 11 men who have received offers for the elite national team for the upcoming season, marking his first return since 2023.

Iversen, who made a remarkable comeback this winter, reportedly has not yet made a final decision about continuing for another season.

Additionally, Lars Heggen and Mattis Stenshagen have received offers. They competed this winter for Team Aker Dæhlie and Team Swix, respectively. 

These men’s athletes have received offers for the National Team

• Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
• Erik Valnes
• Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget
• Harald Østberg Amundsen
• Mattis Stenshagen
• Emil Iversen
• Andreas Fjorden Ree
• Oskar Opstad Vike
• Ansgar Evensen
• Even Northug
• Lars Heggen

Even Northug was initially rejected, but according to TV 2, he received an offer after Einar Hedegart changed his mind. The super talent initially declined the biathlon national team offer on Tuesday, but reversed his decision on Thursday, making him no longer a candidate for the cross-country national team.

Rejected after just one season

Among the athletes who did not receive offers is Jan Thomas Jenssen. The 29-year-old from Hommelvik joined the elite national team last year, but after a season marred by injuries and illness, his time is up. 

Neither does Iver Tildheim Andersen receive renewed trust. The 25-year-old from Rustad loses his spot after two disappointing seasons. 

Furthermore, Simen Hegstad Krüger has been dropped. The championship specialist from LYN Ski loses his position after nearly 15 years on the national team.

Negotiating with the Association

On the women’s side, Karoline Simpson-Larsen and Karoline Grøtting from Team Anlegg Øst, as well as Julie Drivenes from Team Konnerud, are said to have received offers for the national team for 2026/2027.

Both athletes from Team Anlegg Øst have expressed uncertainty about whether they will accept the offers. They initially wish to continue with their private team under coach Emil Hosøy.

Insider sources tell Langrenn.com that these two are now working intensively to clarify everything regarding the Ski Association’s 2013 regulation. 

This regulation states that athletes who decline national team spots cannot represent Norway in the World Cup and championships. In the past, some athletes have received exemptions from this rule, but this year the federation has announced significant tightening. Among those granted exemptions are Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Astrid Øyre Slind.

The following female athletes are reported to have received offers

• Heidi Weng
• Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs
• Kristine Stavås Skistad
• Julie Myhre
• Mathilde Myhrvold
• Nora Sanness
• Karoline Grøtting
• Karoline Simpson-Larsen
• Julie Drivenes
• Astrid Øyre Slind