To become a Legend, a Pro Team athlete must win at least five individual events, with races before the first season of Ski Classics also counting. Magni Smedås has achieved this incredible feat reserved for only a few of the best long-distance skiers. 

Read More: Smedås and Løwstrøm Nyenget winners at Summit 2 Senja Season XV

To get one victory in Ski Classics is a milestone for every skier; to win a second time is twice as difficult. To get five victories and become a Legend is a lifetime achievement reserved for the very few. Smedås becomes the 23rd Legend in the history of Ski Classics.

Link to the Ski Classics Hall of Fame

“I had a hard time keeping up initially and had to let it go, but then I got back. But just as I was back, they picked up the speed again. After that, I skied alone for 40km and didn’t get any time splits. When I closed the gap, I was surprised and couldn’t understand what happened,” says Smedås about Summit 2 Senja.

What happened when you closed the gap with the leading duo at the front?

“When I was alone, I was only focused on getting to the finish line as quickly as possible.”

The win was Magni’s fifth in Ski Classics, and now she is a Ski Classics Legend.

“It means a lot. First, it’s a confirmation that I did a very good job last year. I have made great strides and improved what I wanted to improve.”

Solid comeback

After facing physical setbacks earlier in the season that would have daunted many, Magni Smedås returned to competitive skiing and made history at Summit 2 Senja this weekend.

Also Read: Magni Smedås is back to competitive skiing

Magni Smedås started this season only in January with the 3 Zinnen Ski-Marathon, where she finished 5th. After that, she was 1st at Engadin La Diagonela, 2nd at Marcialonga, 5th at Grönklitt Classic, 2nd at Vasaloppet, 1st at Birkebeinerrennet, 7th at Reistadløpet, and finally her 5th Pro Tour win last Sunday at Summit 2 Senja Season XV.

Those wins (Marcialonga 2023, Jizerská50 2023, Engadin La Diagonela 2024, Birkebeinerrennet 2024, and Summit 2 Senja 2024) came after exceptional performances. With these season results, Smedås has a great chance to win more prestigious victories; thus, her Legend status can be strongly solidified.

In Ski Classics Season XV, Magni Smedås is in 3rd place overall for the Champion, Sprint, and Climb bibs with 1600, 162, and 178 points, respectively. 

Also Read: Ski Classics Standings ahead of Grand Finale Janteloppet Season XV 

Regarding the Ski Classics Legends, to name a few of the Ski Classics stars, Britta Johansson Norgren has the most significant number of victories with 25 wins, Andreas Nygaard has 19, and Emil Persson 18. Anders Aukland, Astrid Øyre Slind, and Seraina Boner are right behind with 16, 15, and 15 wins, respectively, while Stanislav Řezáč has 14 stage victories.