Two American World Cup skiers, Rosie Brennan and Scott Patterson, will do their Visma Ski Classics debut at Birkebeinerrennet in Norway. 

Having finished their World Cup season early in Falun the past weekend and after being part of the winning mixed 4x5km relay team, both skiers will be solid contenders for the top positions at Birken in a hilly 54km course.

Brennan is a solid top10 skier in World Cup, while she also finished 4th at Olympics sprint and 6th at 30km skate. Scott Patterson was the best American at Olympics on 50km skate (shortened to 28km) with an 8th place and in skiathlon with an 11th place finish. 

Bruno Debertolis, team manager of Team Robinson Trentino, states that it is a unique opportunity. The new rule for Pro Teams, which had Russian athletes, allows them to add skiers to their roster. One of the most international Pro Teams in the Visma Ski Classics, Debertolis is excited to welcome these two American skiers into his ranks. 

“We have and have had many strong athletes. Olympic champions, World champions, Visma Ski Classics winners, some of them true legends in our sport, so I believe this also increases our credibility as a team year after year, and I am so proud that these two athletes sought us out!” 

“We have athletes from Italy, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland (Justyna Kowalczyk), and our main goal is to improve skiing and its visibility in Italy. This is the main reason we are working this way, and it can show that athletes can share the same passion despite what country they represent.”

Debertolis does not set any specific result goals for the race but hopes that his recruitment of Brennan and Patterson will open up new doors for American skiers in Visma Ski Classics: 

“I have recruited two such strong US skiers for the first time in Ski Classics history, and I hope it can open a new way to a big country of passionate skiers.” 

Another American World Cup skier Rosie Frankowski, 3rd in American Birkie, will also ski the event for Team Robinson Trentino, but not as a pro skier due to the Pro Team rules. Pro Teams can have a maximum of ten registered athletes in their ranks. 

A celebrated starting field is confirmed for Birkebeinerrennet, including the traditional cross-country skiing queen Therese Johaug. 

BIRKEBEINERRENNET 

• Date: Saturday, March 19
• Place: Rena-Lillehammer, Norway
• Distance: 54km Classic Technique
• Start Times: 7:45 CET Men / 8:00 CET Women

Next up in the Visma Ski Classics is Birkebeinerrennet. The 54-kilometer classic race takes place in Norway on March 19, 2022.

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