Emil Persson became ill at the beginning of the season and did not achieve any top results before Christmas. Now, he hopes that his form will be back when the competition starts again with the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon this weekend.

Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, was last season’s big sensation, winning nine competitions. This season, he has had a harder time at the beginning of the season. Much is due to the illness he contracted before the premiere in Bad Gastein.

“My form has been better after Christmas than before, and it will be nice to compete again. I have had a good feeling these days in Antholz,” says Emil Persson.

How did it affect you mentally when you didn’t perform at your usual level?

“It is always difficult to do bad ski races. You always want more, but I tried not to dig too deep,” he says and continues:

“The form has been better the last few days and I’m looking forward to a real long race of 60km,” Persson says about the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon.

What do you like about this course, and what will be the key to success?

“I really like the course. It’s quite challenging with a long hill after half the race, and it’s often very fast there. You must have a good day. I think it will be a similar race to last year.”

During the Christmas break, Emil has trained as usual and has not made any major changes despite the illness before the season premiere.

“I haven’t done anything other than the usual. The training has been similar to what I did during last year’s Christmas break. The form has felt better here in Antholz, so I’m looking forward to racing.”

Does that mean you will start winning again?

“Yes, that’s my goal,” Emil Persson concludes.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon in Italy on January 13, 2024. The event marks the fifth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage of Season XV.

Read More: 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon this Saturday in Italy

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 37km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com