The skiers lay scattered at the finish area at the top of the monstrous climb in Lysebotn Opp. After 7.5km, the last 6km had an average incline of 10%, rising almost 650 meters. But two Pro Team athletes had a wild idea.

Torleif Syrstad and Alvar Myhlback skied the race twice! According to NRK, Alvar came up with the idea, and Torleif joined. Both are top Pro Team athletes and were in the leading group that decided last winter’s Vasaloppet. Both skied for the Lager 157 Ski Team, with Syrstad emerging as the winner and Myhlback finishing third (see photo above). Later, Syrstad also won the Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet.

“I work full-time, so this is a good way to get training,” Torleif said at the start, deep inside the beautiful Lysefjord, with mountains towering in all directions.

This year, Vasaloppet winner signed with Team Engcon, while Alvar remains with Lager 157 Ski Team.

Lysebotn Opp has two events: one for those who only use double-poling and one for regular freestyle technique.

Torleif Syrstad started strong and was among the leaders at the beginning. But later, he had to let go and finished in 10th place, 1 minute and 50 seconds behind the winner, Andrew Musgrave. Alvar Myhlback was four places behind, 50 seconds later.

Also Read: Musgrave and Øyre Slind winners at the Lysebotn Opp double poling race 2024

While most were gasping for air and happy that the race was over, the two of them went back down and lined up for the start of the freestyle race. The competition was fierce, with much of the world’s elite participating.

Both fought their way up again, but this time was more challenging. Once again, Torleif was the better of the two, but his time was 34:31 compared to 32:52 the first time. Now, he was 4 minutes and 43 seconds behind the winner, Simen Hegstad Krüger, with 37 skiers finishing ahead of him.

Alvar Myhlback clocked 35:23, finishing 5 minutes and 35 seconds behind, placing him in 45th place.

“It wasn’t fun,” said a wholly exhausted Myhlback to NRK, lying just past the finish line.

Read More: Hegstad Krüger freestyle winner at the Lysebotn Opp 2024

RESULTS

Double-Poling
10) Torleif Syrstad, Team Engcon 32:52 + 1:50 
14) Alvar Myhlback, Lager 157 33:42 + 2:40 

Freestyle
38) Torleif Syrstad, Team Engcon 34:31 + 4:43 
45) Alvar Myhlback, Lager 157 35:23 + 5:35

Blink Classics

Today, the second day of the Blink Festival 2024, will feature an exciting battle between Pro Team athletes and traditional cross-country skiers.

The competition starts at 18:45 CET.

Click HERE for the complete start lists.

• Women’s Start List
• Men’s Start List

Ski Classics Pro Teams

• Team Ramudden
• Team Aker Dæhlie
• Lager 157 Ski Team
• Team Eksjöhus
• Team Engcon
• Team Ragde Charge
• Team Kaffebryggeriet
• Exsitec Ski Team
• i3 Ski Team
• Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso
• Team Synnfjell
• Ski Team Göhlins
• Team Front Rustad IL
• Team NTNUI
• Team Nordic Experience
• Team Robinson Trentino
• Team Northug

Also Read – Blink Festival 2024: Complete calendar

FACTS: BLINK FESTIVAL 2024

• Who:  Cross-country skiers and biathletes at national and international levels, as well as junior classes and age-specific classes for younger athletes
• What:  Summer ski festival cross-country skiing, biathlon, and long-distance skiing, held for the first time in 2006
• Where:  Sandnes, Lysefjorden and Gjesdal, Norway
• When:  July 31 to August 3, 2024
• Website: https://www.blinkfestivalen.no/

Program

Wednesday, July 31:  BLINK Lysebotn Up, 7.5km uphill race

• 11:00 CET: 1km and 2km girls and boys
• 11:45 CET: 7.5km skate women senior and women junior
• 13:30 CET: 7.5km double poling women and men senior
• 15:00 CET: 7.5km skate men senior and men junior
• Prize giving at Øygardstøl after the finish

Thursday, August 1:  BLINK Classics at Ålgård

• 15:00-23:00 CET: Folk Festival at Ålgård – activities for children and young people
• 15:00-15:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen
• 17:00-17:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen
• 18:45 CET: Start BLINK Classics
• 20:45 CET: Estimated finish time BLINK Classics
• 21:15 CET: Free concert with Postgirobygget

Friday, August 2: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:00-14:20 CET: Competitions for age groups and juniors 
• 12:00-21:00 CET: Kid Camp – activities for children and young people in Rutenparken
• 14:00-14:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 14:30-15:15 CET: Shooting – biathlon elite
• 15:30-15:50 CET: Cross-country skiing – prologue women and men
• 15:55-16:50 CET: Biathlon – shooting duel women and men
• 17:00-17:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 17:10-18:25 CET: Biathlon – super sprint qualification elite women and men
• 18:25-18:55 CET: Cross-country skiing – 10km mass start women
  18:55-19:45 CET: Biathlon – super sprint final women and men
• 19:45-20:25 CET: Cross-country skiing – 15km mass start men
• 20:45 CET: Award ceremony
• 21:00 CET: Free concert with D.D.E.

Saturday, August 3: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:30-14:20 CET: Competitions for age groups and juniors
• 11:00-12:00 CET: Free brunch
• 12:00-21:00 CET: Kid Camp – activities for children and young people in Rutenparken
• 12:00-12:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 14:15-15:00 CET: Prize-giving ceremony for age groups in Rutenparken
• 14:30-15:15 CET: Shooting – biathlon elite
• 15:30-15:40 CET: Cross-country skiing – prologue men
• 15:45-17:37 CET: Biathlon – qualification mix and single mix relay
• 16:00-16:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 17:44-19:20 CET: Cross-country skiing – quarterfinals and semifinals sprint women and men
• 19:22-20:08 CET: Biathlon – final mixed relay
• 20:10-20:23 CET: Cross-country skiing – finals sprint women and men
• 20:25-21:05 CET: Biathlon – final single mix relay
• 21:25 CET: Awards ceremony
• 21:45 CET: Free concert with Highasakite

All competitions are broadcast on NRK. 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.