The 19-year-old from Norway has signed a contract with Team Ragde Charge, the Pro Team of the Aukland brothers.

Junior talent from Team Vestmarka joins Team Ragde Charge, the Pro Team of the Aukland brothers, where she is expected to play a crucial role in the squad.

“We have been looking for a young and interested female skier for a long time. Now we have found her,” says Jørgen Aukland from Team Ragde Charge to Langrenn.com. 

The skier he is talking about is Solveig Lie Støverud. The Norwegian 19-year-old is starting her last season as a junior and was headhunted to Team Ragde Charge via Therese Johaug’s brother and training partner Karstein Johaug. 

See the facts about Solveig Lie Støverud at the bottom of the article.

“We discovered Solveig via the Wang system, where Karstein Johaug is a coach. He noticed that Solveig had the qualities needed to become a good long-distance skier. She is good at double poling and has a good mentality,” says Jørgen Aukland.

Lie Støverud was one of the talents selected for the Norwegian Ski Association’s international junior camp last year. She has already had a gathering with the team and is looking forward to new challenges and training methods.

“I wasn’t scared, but it’s quite a different way of training than I’m used to. The fact that we go hard on a long distance is something new,” tells Lie Støverud.

Becomes a key skier for the team

Team Ragde Charge has several Ski Classics stars, including Andreas Nygaard, Kasper Stadaas, and Johan Hoel. But on the women’s side, the team has lacked a profile since Marit Bjørgen quit after two seasons focusing on long-distance. 

In the long term, Lie Støverud will challenge Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus and Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden. 

“We want to prepare Solveig carefully, but we think she can make strides already this winter,” says Jørgen Aukland. 

Smooth transition

Støverud Lie will focus on traditional and long-distance skiing in the coming season. The main goal for the season will be the Junior World Championships in Planica, but she will also start several long-distance races. 

In December, Lie Støverud will debut for Team Ragde Charge during the Ski Classics weekend premiere in Bad Gastein, Austria. 

The article continues below.

Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

Facts about Solveig Lie Støverud

• Born: January 15, 2004
• Club: Holmen IF/Team Vestmarka
• Results 2022/23:  Two podiums in the Norwegian Cup, several top-10, and fifth place overall. 

See all results from Solveig Lie Støverud.