After challenging weather and a day full of action, the Ski Classics Challengers event in Iceland, Fossavatnsgangan, saw a good battle for the win. Magnus Waaler, Team Front Rustad IL, and Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, won their respective races with solid performances and were the first Pro Team athletes to get 50 points for Season XVI.

Did you miss the Fossavatnsgangan live broadcast? Click on the link below and watch it on SC PLAY!

FOSSAVATNSGANGAN – WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY

Fossavatnsgangan – 50km Men’s Race 

In the men’s competition, the winner was Magnus Waaler, Team Front Rustad IL, after a long-range breakaway in challenging weather conditions. The Pro Team athlete completed the race in a total time of 2:41:13.5.

“At times, there was so much wind on the track that in Norway, perhaps races wouldn’t have been possible due to the weather. But it’s impressive that the organizers managed to hold the races,” says Waaler exclusively to ProXCskiing.com and added:

“The rain wasn’t too bad, and the temperature was comfortable considering. Very good conditions and grip. Shame about the fog. Must come back next year and see the track in nice weather.”

Local skier Dagur Benediktsson, Team, finished in second place, 14:32.6 back, closely followed by Stefano Zanotto, also from Team Front Rustad IL, 14:32.7 behind the winner, and completing the podium in third place.

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Fossavatnsgangan – Top 3 Men

1. Magnus Waaler, Team Front Rustad IL, 2:41:13.5
2. Dagur Benediktsson, +14:32.6
3. Stefano Zanotto, Team Front Rustad IL, +14:32.7

Full results can be found HERE

Fossvatnsgangan – 50km Women’s Race

In the women’s event, the winner, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, completed the race in a time of 2:55:28.2, after a solid solo breakaway.

Heli Heiskanen, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, finished in second place, 10:43.8 behind, followed by Elisabeth Schicho, xc-ski.de A|N Skimarathon Team, completing the podium in third position and 28:59.8 back.

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Fossavatnsgangan – Top 3 Women

1. Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, 2:55:28.2
2. Heli Heiskanen, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, +10:43.8
3. Elisabeth Schicho, xc-ski.de A|N Skimarathon Team, +28:59.8

Full results can be found HERE

As the Fossavatnsgangan 50km race is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team registered athletes could collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. 

Complete results of the event can be found here and here, and a list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for season 2024/2025 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.  

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