The stage is set for a star-studded field at Kanalrennet in Norway. Several traditional cross-country skiers and Pro Team athletes will face the 50-kilometer-long roller ski race on Saturday evening.

Last year, Kanalrennet was part of the season opener in the Roller Ski World Cup. That is not the case this year, but still, the race draws a field with solid names from the traditional and long-distance skiing circuits. 

The starting list includes Petter Northug, still chasing his first big win since his comeback at the elite level last year, and Pro Team athlete Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge. 

Furthermore, World Champion Simen Hegstad Krüger, recently retired Hans Christer Holund and the complete British national team, junior World Champion Mathias Holbæk and the remaining skiers of the regional Team Elon Vest, as well as all the Pro Team athletes in Nygaard’s squad, Team Ragde Charge, and Team Aker Dæhlie are also competing. 

The reigning champion from 2022, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who was also registered, has just announced he is not starting due to a cold.

On the women’s side, defending champion Lotta Udnes Weng is not starting, but last year’s runner-up Amalie Håkonsen Ous is back this year. So is this winter’s World Champion and Pro Team star Astrid Øyre Slind and her teammates from Team Aker Dæhlie, Patricija Eiduka from Latvia, Sophia Laukli from the USA, and the super talent Emma Kirkeberg Mørk. 

It will also be exciting to see what junior Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen can achieve. The 17-year-old won three golds in the Junior World Championships and was less than one second away from taking the Norwegian National Championships gold in the 5km classic from Tiril Udnes Weng in March. Now she will try her hand at a 50km double poling race on roller skis.  

Read More: Triple Junior World Champion Joining Team Eksjöhus 

Athletes from over a dozen nations are registered for this year’s edition, including Germany, Czech Republic, Latvia, USA, Australia, Chile, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. 

The details

Kanalrennet is being held this year for the ninth time. The 50-kilometer-long roller ski race along the Telemark Canal starts and finishes in the center of Lunde in Nome municipality and is part of the program during Telemark Week 2023.

Senior women start at 18:40 CET, while senior men start at 19:02 CET.

In addition, Kanalrennet Junior is also back in the program this year. The youth edition of the race offers an exciting route in the center of Lunde. The roller ski race is freestyle, and the format is individual start with 20 seconds between starters.