Earlier this morning, ProXCskiing.com reported that Ebba Andersson is confirmed to race in Reistadløpet in Northern Norway, the second-to-last event of the Ski Classics season.

Read More: Stina and Ebba to meet again

Now, it is also confirmed that the Norwegian star in both long-distance and traditional skiing, Astrid Øyre Slind, will compete during the final race weekend of Season XVI.

“Astrid will race in Reistadløpet,” says Team Aker Dæhlie’s Pro Team Director, Chris Jespersen, to Langd.se.

However, she will not start at the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on Sunday. This means that Reistadløpet will feature a unique skiing challenge between three of the season’s absolute best skiers—Ebba Andersson, Stina Nilsson, and Astrid Øyre Slind—along with several of the already strong Pro Team athletes in Ski Classics.

“Last year, Astrid participated in both races near Bardufoss and ended up with an injury that she struggled with for quite a while. So, this time, she will only race once,” Jespersen explains and continues:

“On Sunday, she will be with me, handing out hydration to the rest of the team.”

Astrid has won the last two editions of Reistadløpet. The year before, Ebba Andersson claimed victory.

Not Certain If It’s Possible

Regarding the use of kick wax or not, Astrid and the waxing team have not yet made a final decision.

“The plan is for Astrid to race with grip wax on her skis. But of course, it depends on whether it’s possible to go with waxed skis the entire way. The conditions can vary significantly between the start and the mountain section.”

But Astrid faces another challenge—her best skis are stuck in the Norwegian national team’s waxing truck.

“Those skis have a World Championship grind, and because of that, she is not allowed to take them out of the trailer. So, the focus will be on finding the best skis from her backup fleet, and we know that ski pairs can vary greatly. It will definitely add an extra layer of excitement,” says Pro Team Director Jespersen.

No Woman Has Won on Skate Skis Yet

So far, no woman has won Reistadløpet using skate skis (without grip wax). Last year, however, Johan Hoel won without grip wax, becoming the first male skier to do so. But Jespersen is still skeptical about whether it’s possible for the women.

“I think it would take a lot before we see a female winner without grip wax. As long as waxing works well, that is,” Jespersen concludes.

Also Read: Impressive race for Hoel – First ever Reistadløpet double poling win!

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)

Next up is Reistadløpet on Saturday, March 29, and the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on Sunday, March 30. The events mark the 13^th and 14^th and final Ski Classics Pro Tour events of Season XVI.

You can watch the final Pro Tour events Season XVI on SC Play with English commentaries.

WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY

Season XVI of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events across 10 event weekends in 6 countries. It started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 13, 2024, with the Pro Team Presentation and ends in Finnsnes, Norway, with the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on March 30, 2025.

• Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
• Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
• Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 11km
• Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 43km
• Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
• Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 13km
• Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Valnesfjord, Norway, 50km
• Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
• Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

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

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