Defeating World Cup stars and the defending champion in a historic sprint race on Friday evening, in only her third season as a skier.

The former professional soccer player is in her third season on skis and was, at best, considered an outsider ahead of the Ski Classics sprint in Bedřichov on Friday night. Instead, she delivered the performance of her career, claiming her first-ever Pro Tour victory and stunning commentators, competitors, and even herself.

Julie Kvale Støstad posted the fifth-fastest time in the prologue, where the top 14 advanced to the semifinals. There, she finished third, securing the final spot in the final. In the final, she beat them all.

“It was absolutely not something I saw coming,” Støstad told Langrenn.com.

Read More: Jizerská50 Season XVII: Start lists, start times and where to watch

Outclassing the favorites

The 27-year-old from Team Ramudden defeated both last year’s winner and overall Ski Classics champion Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, as well as World Cup sprint specialist Ane Appelkvist Stenseth. She herself could hardly believe it.

Former Swedish sprint star Stina Nilsson, who has 18 World Cup sprint victories to her name, was never in contention for the podium. She finished last in the final, almost four seconds behind Støstad.

“Today I had some energy I didn’t know I had. So, it was really, really fun,” Støstad said.

A major breakthrough

The evening sprint victory is Støstad’s first in Ski Classics. Until now, her best Pro Tour result was fifth place at Marcialonga last Sunday.

After Friday’s sprint win, Støstad now sits fifth overall, a significant jump from tenth place overall last season.

She believes the improvement is the result of a concrete change she made before the season: bringing more structure to her training.

Specifically, she has been working closely with Øystein “Pølsa” Pettersen on the practical execution of her training sessions at home in Lillehammer.

“I’ve used Lina Korsgren as my coach, meaning she plans my training, and then I’ve had Øystein Pettersen with me during sessions in Lillehammer,” Støstad explains.

Getting Pettersen involved was almost coincidental. Støstad took the chance and asked him.

“I talked to him in Lillehammer this summer, and after that, Øystein has joined me for all the sessions where it’s worked out,” she says.

On Sunday, Ski Classics continues with Jizerská50, the second of the season’s four Grand Classics events.

Women’s final

1. Julie Kvale Støstad, Team Ramudden, 3:30.27
2. Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Engcon, +0.11
3. Silje Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, +0.65
4. Ane Appelkvist Stenseth, +1.25
5. Louise Lindström, Team Eksjöhus, +2.57
6. Ida Palmberg, +3.14
7. Stina Nilsson, Team Ragde Charge, +3.94

Full results

Also Read: Historic sprint night as Bedřichov Sprint makes Pro Tour debut

Next up is the Jizerská50 on Sunday, February 1. The 50km long event marks the sixth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage and the second Grand Classics of Season XVII.

Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across nine event weekends in six countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com