Aukland’s Pro Team delivered their worst season ever. Now they are bringing in one of the World’s best. The ambitions for next season are crystal clear.

“This winter, we haven’t been able to deliver. We have had two victories, and this is the worst season we’ve had since we started Team Xtrapersonell (over 15 years ago),” admits team manager Jørgen Aukland of Team Ragde Charge to Langrenn.com.

Since the inception of Ski Classics in 2010 and up to 2024, the team has had at least one man on the overall podium every year. Last year, they narrowly missed out. However, this year, Team Ragde Charge was far from the podium in the overall standings after losing two key athletes.

Now they are bringing in Thomas Ødegaarden, who will fill an important role.

“We were a small team this year, and we see that we need to become a bit stronger. Ragde is a team that aims to win ski races, and we need athletes who can contribute, who can be there from Hökberg in Vasaloppet, who can help set the pace up to the turnaround in Marcialonga,” says team manager Jørgen Aukland to Langrenn.com.

He is thrilled to have secured the 27-year-old, who finished fourth in Ski Classics in 2024 – just behind the three Ragde athletes who took the entire overall podium that year. He also won the Youth bib overall in 2024.

“Thomas has some extreme specialized skills, especially as a climber, and can strengthen Johan (Hoel) in that area. Then we have two top athletes in uphill races. He is a team player and a classic skier. He is a local athlete who knows Mikael (Gunnnulfsen) and fits well into our group.”

Also Read: Stina Nilsson makes a career decision after season break

The story continues below.

Rolling up his sleeves

Ødegaarden is excited about both the team switch and his specific tasks in the new team.

“I know I am joining the most successful team in Ski Classics history. I am part of a seasoned – and not least an incredibly strong – team that is very eager for revenge and has high ambitions for the upcoming season,” he tells Langrenn.com.

Ødegaarden is now embarking on his seventh season as a Pro Team athlete. In the first three years, he competed for Tord Asle Gjerdalen’s professional team, Team XPND/Fuel of Norway. For the last three years, he has raced for the Swedish top Pro Team, Team Eksjöhus.

Solid progress

It is particularly in the last three to four years that Ødegaarden has made significant strides. In his final season with Gjerdalen’s team, he moved from 43rd to 12th place overall. He has continued that development with Team Eksjöhus, finishing fourth and ninth overall, with a total of four podium finishes in the Pro Tour.

He attributes his progress to consistent and solid training over time.

“It’s about learning to train a lot and hard enough, and knowing how much load you can handle over time. It sounds simple, but it has made me stronger,” says Thomas Ødegaarden.

“Now I look forward to further developing as a long-distance skier in Ragde, learning from the top athletes in the team, and contributing to Ragde Charge winning ski races. I believe I can add extra strength to Ragde as a team.”

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.