The Champion competition on the women’s side seems to be a game of three players. Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, and Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden.

Slind is the greatest favorite, but Dahl closely follows her. Slind finished third in the Champion competition last season, while Dahl was second. Slind was on the podium in every race she took part in, except Jizerská50, and she won four stages on the Pro Tour, including Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet. She is also a Hall of Fame athlete with nine victories. Dahl has four wins in total, all from last year.

Fleten, on the other hand, has yet to win a Pro Tour stage, but that can change when the season starts. She has ten podium places in total. She needs to raise the bar to challenge Slind and Dahl truly, but she may be ready to do so this winter. Compared to her rivals, she is a bit of an underdog, and her first step is to win a stage before dreaming about the Champion title.

These three women are very strong and possess the winning mentality that a Champion needs. But they have had some difficulties in staying in shape or healthy throughout the season. Therefore, consistency is the key factor this season, and the one who is the most stable will win the overall competition.

It will also be interesting to see what the other female athletes can do. Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, Jenny Larsson, Team Ragde Charge, and Linn Sömskar, Team Engcon, can become serious contenders and challenge the three skiers above.

However, they need to start winning races and establish themselves as worthy players in the game. Larsson won La Diagonela in 2021, but her hand injury prevented her from racing last season. If she returns to form this winter, she will be right behind the three biggest favorites.

Champion Favorites Women – Ski Classics Season XIV

Astrid Øyre Slind

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 09.02.1988
• Pro Team: Team Aker Dæhlie
• Likelihood to win: 4 out of 5

Ida Dahl

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 17.01.1996
• Pro Team: Team Engcon
• Likelihood to win: 4 out of 5

Emilie Fleten

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 09.06.1992
• Pro Team: Team Ramudden
• Likelihood to win: 3 out of 5

Jenny Larsson

• Nationality: Sweden 
• Date of Birth: 18.01.1996
• Pro Team: Team Ragde Charge
• Likelihood to win: 2 out of 5

Magni Smedås

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 17.06.1995
• Pro Team: Team Eksjöhus 
• Likelihood to win: 1 out of 5

Linn Sömskar

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 03.06.1989
• Pro Team: Team Engcon 
• Likelihood to win: 1 out of 5  

Written by Expert Commentator Teemu Virtanen.

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