Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, makes her season debut in Ski Classics this Sunday at Marcialonga. Despite a preparation marked by illness, she is aiming high.

So far this season, Astrid Øyre Slind has been competing in the World Cup. She withdrew from the Tour de Ski due to illness, which disrupted her preparation for her season debut in Ski Classics.

“I’m nervous because I’ve been sick and unsure about my form, but also because I haven’t done much skiing. The other girls have competed in several races, while I haven’t been skiing much. I feel a bit underprepared,” says Astrid Øyre Slind at the Ski Classics Live Sessions ahead of Marcialonga, and added:

“During the past week, I’ve been preparing as best as I could.”

What are your ambitions for Sunday?

“My ambition is to be at the top and fight. I have two second-place finishes in Marcialonga, so victory is the only thing I would be truly satisfied with.”

Do you have any concerns about Sunday, given your recent illness?

“I’m a little worried about my lungs. I’m healthy and training, but I feel slightly compromised. It has been improving in the past three days, so I hope to be fully ready for the race on Sunday.”

Astrid has not won Marcialonga before. The last time she competed was in 2022, and she finished second. Last year, she had to skip the race due to the World Championships in Planica. She is looking forward to participating in the race.

“It’s a big deal for me to win Marcialonga. It’s on my bucket list. I wish I were better prepared, but as I said, victory is the only thing I will be truly satisfied with,” she concludes.

Read More: Marcialonga this Sunday in Italy

How does your plan look for the rest of the season?

“My current plan is to compete in Marcialonga and see how well it goes. After that, the plan is to go to Canada and the USA for World Cup races. Finally, I’ll come back for Vasaloppet, Birken, and the last races in Ski Classics. If I win Marcialonga, I’ll have to think about whether I want to go for the Grand Slam after the weekend,” she concludes.

Also Read: Grand Classics start this Sunday with Marcialonga

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 Marcialonga in Italy on January 28, 2024. The event marks the seventh Ski Classics Pro Tour stage and the first Grand Classics event of Season XV.

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, 35km 
• 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, 55km
• 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