In spring 2023, Emil Iversen lost his spot on the Norwegian national team. On Tuesday, his dream of competing in the World Championships at home in Trondheim also ended. Now, Emil Iversen is turning to long-distance skiing.

This Sunday, Emil Iversen will debut in the Ski Classics. Just hours after the World Championships team was announced on Tuesday evening, he registered for the Marcialonga. The 70-kilometer race in Northern Italy is the first Grand Classics event of the season, considered the “monuments” of cross-country skiing, akin to cycling’s legendary races, and is one of the sport’s most prestigious long-distance events.

The 33-year-old, who spent the past two seasons preparing for the World Championships at home in Trondheim, was not selected for the championship squad in Granåsen.

This decision came despite Iversen’s impressive record of four World Championship gold medals and two outstanding races during last week’s Norwegian Championships (NM) at Gåsbu, which were key selection races for the World Championships in Trondheim.

Exactly one week ago, during the NM at Gåsbu, Iversen posted the fifth-best time in the 10-kilometer classic race. He outperformed all the national team athletes, including Pål Golberg, who has since been selected for the World Championships.

Three days later, Iversen was the second skier to reach the ski exchange in the skiathlon, just four-tenths of a second behind Andreas Fjorden Ree, who has now been selected for the World Championships. Before Christmas, Iversen was among the world’s best, finishing seventh in the 20-kilometer World Cup race in Davos. Only pre-qualified World Championship candidates Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Harald Østberg Amundsen, and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo finished ahead of him. Iversen was nearly 30 seconds ahead of Andreas Fjorden Ree, who has since been selected for the World Championships.

“Emil was considered, but unfortunately, he just missed out,” said national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum to Adresseavisen after the World Championship team was announced on Tuesday, January 21.

Read more: Marcialonga Story and Color Bibs Handout live streamed on SC PLAY!

Debut in the Ski Classics Pro Tour

The Marcialonga, set to take place for the 52nd time on Sunday, January 26, will mark Emil Iversen’s debut in the Ski Classics Pro Tour. It will also be the longest race of his career. Although he will compete in the elite class, he is not racing for any of the major long-distance teams. However, Iversen will receive support from Team Aker Dæhlie, where he serves as an ambassador.

Iversen has participated in several ski marathons before. Last spring, he received the prestigious Slavemerket award after competing in the Kobberløpet in Sulis, Nordland.

MARCIALONGA COLOR BIBS HANDOUT

Sunday, January 26, 2025, the Ski Classics Pro Tour continues with Marcialonga in Italy. The event marks the sixth Ski Classics stage and the first Grand Classics event, Season XVI. On SC Play, you can watch the Color Bibs Handout live on Saturday, January 25, from 18:00 CET.

COLOR BIBS HANDOUT – WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY!

The SC Play app is available to download for iOS, Android, and Apple TV. You can watch it on your television, mobile device, and computer. SC Play is part of the SC Ski Community and is accessible to all members on news sites ProXCskiing.com, Langd.se, Langrenn.com, Maastohiihto.com, and Bezky.net. 

Your subscription to SC Play will always give you access to all the free and paid features on The Ski Community, including watching all Ski Classics Pro Tour events.