“There have been many feelings and impressions that have been a physical and mental strain. ” Only when I got home that I could fully take it in,” says Emilie Fleten to Langrenn.com just a week after she won the 90km long Vasaloppet.

After creating a solid breakaway from the other women’s contenders earlier in the race, Fleten managed to keep the gap to the finish, resulting in her first win in Ski Classics Pro Tour.

After 16 podiums in the last three years as an experienced Pro Tour athlete in the long-distance circuit, the 30-year-old admits that the battle for the first victory is something she has been looking for a long time. 

“I have put pressure on myself. I always want to develop as an athlete; of course, it has been mentally challenging never to manage to take the win. I wondered if I had what it took. So, it was incredibly liberating to make it finally.”

Deliberate Choice

Fleten switched teams before this year’s winter season to the Swedish Pro Team, Team Ramudden, a conscious choice, according to her.

“I have known Lina (Korsgren) for several years. If I’m going to take a step, then I have to have someone around me who can be there 100 percent and help me,” she says and continues:

“Having someone who can share experiences has been important, especially being a woman. I was inspired by Astrid (Øyre Slind) when I was in Koteng and now from Lina. They have raced the same courses and have a lot to share. It has been helpful for me.”

What is the most significant difference between being a woman in a race like Vasaloppet versus being a man?

“Vasaloppet is special since everyone starts at the same time. From the start, we go all we have and aim to hang out with groups of men during the race.”

Fleten lives in Trondheim, Norway, but stays with Team Ramudden at training camps and competitions during the season. The Pro Team, which Lina Korsgren and her husband Gustav run, is praised by Fleten, which is run professionally and is reflected in good results.

Third Place In The Overall With Three Races Remaining

After the win at Vasaloppet, Fleten is now in third place overall for the Yellow Champion bib, 197 points from the leader Ida Dahl, Team Engcon.

“I try not to focus too much on the overall. The last time I did it, I was second, and soon after, I got Covid before Marcialonga. Ida and Magni are so consistently good, so it will take a lot to catch them again. I get to focus on third place.”

On the other hand, several athletes had experienced that it was easier to take the next one when they finally won.

And the next opportunity is already next weekend at Birkebeinerrennet. There, Fleten finished third last year, behind Astrid Øyre Slind and Therese Johaug.

“I’m looking forward to it, and I hope it will be a fair race with good conditions. It’s a course that suits me very well, so I hope I have good skis and form that day.”

But Fleten admits that it is an obstacle when fighting for podium places.

“In a pure sprint, I am not the strongest. Fortunately, few races are decided on the finish. I think I’ve only been in a few of them. Nevertheless, I see that I don’t have the final gear towards the sprint,” Emilie says and continues:

“I will never be fast, but I can get stronger to last through the full race.”

What did you learn from the win at Vasaloppet?

“You have to keep calm and focus on yourself. I fell at the start of Vasaloppet; nevertheless, I managed to keep control and focused on myself and the race. It worked well in the end.”

Birbeinerrennet will be the 12th event of Ski Classics Season XIV, and Fleten says that she is starting to look forward to the season ending in April.

“I feel that I have been away for a long time. I miss seeing friends and family. I want to unpack my bag and meet people again without constantly thinking that I must stay healthy and always be in the best possible shape.”

Next up is Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday, March 18. The race marks the twelfth Ski Classics event and the fourth Grand Classics Season XIV.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.