Six years ago, she made the decision that changed everything. Three weeks before the Grand Finale, the message came: on Sunday, it’s over.

When Anikken Gjerde Alnæs crosses the finish line after the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on Sunday morning, it will be for the last time as a full-time long-distance skier.

“I’ve been skiing since I was 11 months old, so it’s a big part of my life,” says the 32-year-old ahead of the season finale.

The Norwegian star from Rustad IL spent ten years chasing World Cup starts and championships before making her World Cup debut in December 2020. She immediately finished in the top 10 in her first race. Then she stepped away, ending her traditional cross-country skiing career to focus on long-distance racing.

She was 26 at the time, and it was during a period when Ski Classics and long-distance racing were often seen as an option for World Cup skiers after being dropped from national teams or after finishing their traditional careers. Or something “the second-best” did because they couldn’t reach the top.

Alnæs never saw it that way and never looked back.

“I was an inexperienced sprinter who has become something I never dreamed was possible.”

Read More: Norwegian Pro Team star announces retirement live

Have you ever regretted switching to Ski Classics or thought about trying to reach the Olympics or World Championships?

“No.”

An incredible journey

It is in long-distance racing that Alnæs has truly found her place. There, she discovered a community, an environment, and a performance culture where she has thrived.

“I’ve learned so much, experienced so much, and met so many amazing people. First four years with Team Ragde Charge with the Aukland brothers and Magnar Dalen, who challenged me to become a better skier and supported me all the way, and now the last two with Team Engcon. It has been an incredible journey,” says Alnæs, and continues:

“And it has become so much more than I expected. I had a dream of winning one race before I retired. I’ve achieved so much more than little Anikken ever thought was possible. Even though I dreamed of the Olympics, championships, and the World Cup, Ski Classics was the right path for me. That decision also allowed me to continue longer than I otherwise could have.”

Ending at the top

Ahead of the final weekend, Alnæs leads the Ski Classics overall standings by 465 points over second-place Emilie Fleten and has a firm grip on the Yellow Champion bib for the second consecutive year.

Last season, she won three races, claimed the overall title, and secured the Green Sprint bib, against all odds after a roller skiing accident that could have cost her life. Alnæs never thought she would be able to top that season.

This year, she already has five victories and has mathematically secured the Sprint bib. She could also win more bib competitions: she is currently second in the Climb competition, 37 points behind, but still has a theoretical chance to claim it. Team Engcon also leads the Pro Team competition.

Still, Alnæs takes nothing for granted before crossing the finish line on Sunday, for the last time as a professional.

Also Read: Ski Classics Season XVII: Standings after Marcialonga Bodø

Will it be emotional?

“I don’t know. I have periods where I’m very emotional, and during the last race last year, there were a lot of emotions. It’s been a good week, and I’m happy with how I’m handling things mentally right now. I’ll take the emotions as they come after the race.”

For now, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs has no concrete plans for life after retirement. But two things are certain: she will spend more time with friends and family, and she will get married in July.

Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026

Next up is Reistadløpet on Saturday, March 28, and the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on Sunday, March 29. The events mark the 12th and 13th and final Ski Classics Pro Tour events of Season XVII.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 53km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Sulitjelma, Norway, 46km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com