The sprint star began the new year with a joyous announcement – during the New Year’s dinner, her partner proposed, receiving an ecstatic yes. Now, the newly engaged couple is planning their wedding while balancing their love life with two ski careers.

There was no big surprise. Jørgen Sæternes Ulvang and Ane Appelkvist Stenseth have been a couple and living together for a long time. But on New Year’s Eve, Jørgen took the relationship a step further, proposing to his chosen one, the sprint specialist from Grong. Her answer? An overjoyed YES. According to iFinnmark, Ulvang got down on one knee and did it “the old-fashioned way.”

“He proposed during the New Year’s dinner at home in our apartment in Trondheim. It was just perfect”, Stenseth told the newspaper about the proposal.

Coach Proposed – Congratulations from Ski Friends

Stenseth shared the news on Instagram, where she also showcased the sparkling diamond ring and the newly engaged couple. Congratulations poured in from several well-known names in cross-country skiing, both nationally and internationally. One of them is Swedish skier Maja Dahlqvist, who has become an important training partner for Ane Appelkvist Stenseth in Trondheim.

The 29-year-old skier from Grong revealed to the newspaper that the wedding will take place in 2026. The location is yet to be decided, “But it’s between Grong, Kirkenes, and Trondheim, so we’ll see,” she revealed.

Also Read: Appelkvist Stenseth winner at Beitostølen sprint

New Coaching Team

Ahead of this season, Ane Appelkvist Stenseth lost her national team spot. That’s when her partner Jørgen Sæternes Ulvang stepped in as her coach, along with former national team coach Stig Rune Kveen and Per Øyvind Torvik from Meråker. Additionally, Sæternes Ulvang, who previously became a Norwegian relay champion for IL Varden, has taken over as coach for the long-distance team Team Engcon.

Ane Appelkvist Stenseth still hopes to secure a spot in the World Championships in her hometown of Trondheim. While her colleagues battled through the Tour de Ski, Stenseth was gathering red blood cells at high altitude in Seiser Alm.

“I think we’re good at separating sports from our private life. It’s not like we need to go out to a restaurant or travel away to enjoy ourselves. For us, it could just as well be a night with pizza, wine, and a good conversation. I think we’re good at being a couple,” the sprint star said in an interview with Namdalsavisa just before Christmas.

Vegard is the Uncle

Many might wonder about the connection between Jørgen Sæternes Ulvang and the great ski star Vegard Ulvang. Vegard is Jørgen’s uncle, and the family hails from Kirkenes. Now, the couple Sæternes Ulvang and Appelkvist Stenseth reside in Trondheim, while Vegard Ulvang lives in Oslo with his wife Grete Ingeborg Nykkelmo, who is also a former world champion in cross-country skiing.

This article was originally written by Langd.se. You can follow us on ProXCskiing.com.