Ebba Andersson is returning to the Ski Classics Pro Tour. She now explains that racing this weekend is part of her development as a skier.

This weekend, Ebba Andersson will be on the starting line for Reistadløpet and Summit 2 Senja, the two long-distance races that conclude the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI. Ebba reveals that these competitions are a natural part of her pursuit of new challenges.

A Part of Her Development

“I see this as part of my development—to come to Ski Classics and an environment I’m not so used to. It’s always a challenge to race long distances. And when it fit so well into my schedule, I felt like I wanted to take the chance,” said Ebba Andersson during the Live Sessions on Wednesday afternoon.

“I know that I’ve done well against several long-distance skiers before, but it’s hard to tell. From what I’ve seen on TV, the level has gradually improved. It will be very exciting no matter what.”

Read More: Reistadløpet and Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja ending Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI

A Tough Challenge

Ebba remains humble about the challenge ahead and is well aware that she will face tough competition on Saturday and, perhaps even more so, on Sunday.

“I am one of the traditional skiers whose strength lies in longer distances. But I’m not trained to race two days in a row in such tough events. That will be my biggest challenge.”

Regarding her competition, Ebba is clear about who she sees as her toughest opponent.

“Astrid Øyre Slind will be hard to beat. We know she is strong, and she was also the closest to Therese in Lahti. So, it will probably be difficult to defeat her,” Andersson said.

Ahead of the weekend, she is primarily focused on the first of the two races.

“On paper, Reistadløpet should suit me best, and I will be using grip wax there,” Andersson concluded.

One of the Most Challenging Races

Reistadløpet is a 46-kilometer-long race in Northern Norway, between Bardufoss and Setermoen. The men’s race starts at 10:00 CET and the women’s race at 10:05 CET on Saturday.

The course features a total ascent of 1.225 meters over just under 50 kilometers. Last year’s edition was the first time a skier won using only double poling on skis waxed exclusively with glide wax.

Also Read: Impressive race for Hoel – First ever Reistadløpet double poling win!

Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget is one of several traditional skiers who have participated multiple times and has won the race twice—using grip wax.

Reistadløpet includes one of the toughest challenges of the season: the climb up the Iconic Climb Orta. From the start, the skiers will ascend more than 500 meters before reaching the highest point of the course.

The Grand Finale on Sunday

On Sunday, the Ski Classics Grand Finale, Summit 2 Senja, will take place, marking the final race of the season. Summit 2 Senja is a 60-kilometer-long race in classic style, featuring a demanding course profile. The men’s race starts at 8:30 CET and the women’s race at 8:35 CET.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)

Next up is Reistadløpet on Saturday, March 29, and the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on Sunday, March 30. The events mark the 13^th and 14^th and final Ski Classics Pro Tour events of Season XVI.

You can watch the final Pro Tour events Season XVI on SC Play with English commentary.

WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY

Season XVI of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events across 10 event weekends in 6 countries. It started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 13, 2024, with the Pro Team Presentation and ends in Finnsnes, Norway, with the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on March 30, 2025.

• Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
• Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
• Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 11km
• Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 43km
• Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
• Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 13km
• Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Valnesfjord, Norway, 50km
• Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
• Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

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

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