In a relaxed talk, ProXCskiing.com talked with Julie Kvale Støstad, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, about her season preparations, her first events this Winter as a Pro Team athlete, her plans for the upcoming races, and of course, whether to have a workout or not on Christmas Day. 

Earlier this year, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso announced the signing of Julie Kvale Støstad, a former soccer player for Stabæk club. 

Read More: Soccer player joins Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso

With only three Ski Classics Pro Tour individual events under her belt as a Pro Team athlete, she already has one top 20 (Bad Gastein Criterium – 17th) and two top 10 (La Venosta Criterium – 7th, and La Venosta ITT – 9th) places, being now 9th in the Yellow Champion competition, 11th at the Climb competition and 3rd at the Pink Youth bib competition.  

Also Read: All results from Julie Kvale Støstad at Ski Classics

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Now that you know more about Julie, enjoy this Christmas chat!

Julie, tell us about your first Ski Classics Pro Tour events as a Pro Team athlete. How were Bad Gastein and La Venosta weekends for you?

“It has been so exciting to do the first races in ski Classics, and for my part, it has gone beyond all expectations. At Bad Gastein, we missed the skis a bit, but it was still a good result. At La Venosta, it went much better than I had imagined. So, all in all, I’m very satisfied.”

Despite being new to the Ski Classics Pro Tour and having joined Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso this season, the Norwegian Pro Team athlete already had some solid results and a personal best at La Venosta Criterium, 7th place. Julie shared her thoughts on her results so far and the race formats. 

“I’m incredibly happy with my result in the first races, and I never thought it would go so well. I have almost no experience from ski races, and especially not on longer distances, so I don’t really know what suits me best. It will be exciting to see how it goes after the Christmas holidays. I’m looking forward to it.”

Dryland season and preparations for the Winter went well for the Pro Team athlete. Now, with a solid performance, she already has new goals for the remaining events of Season XV. 

“The run-up has been good. I had a short period with a bit of a cold, but otherwise, it has been very nice, and I have trained well. My goal was initially to get a few races in the top 20, but I’ve already managed that. So, I’m hoping for even more results within the top 10.”

Julie is another Pro Team athlete active on Christmas Day and shared her workout with ProXCskiing.com:

“I really like to have an interval on Christmas Day. I usually vary a bit in the type of interval. This year, it will be a double poling interval.”

And as it could not be missing, Christmas and New Year are time for reflection and planning. Do you have any goals and wishes for Ski Classics Season XV and 2024?

“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season and hope that I can develop as a skier and learn a little more with every race. My wish for 2024 and Ski Classics is to have a great experience at the races and bring home even more good results.”  

The article continues below.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon in Italy on January 13, 2024. The event marks the fifth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage of Season XV.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 37km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

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