Espen Träldal is one of the four nominees for the Pro Team Director of the Year award. At this week’s Live Sessions ahead of Janteloppet, he talked about his work with Team Eksjöhus and why they have succeeded this season.

Team Eksjöhus has had a successful Season XV. Before the final event on Saturday, they led the Pro Team competition with 420 points over second-place Team Ragde Charge. In addition, several of the skiers are fighting for the various bibs. One of the people responsible for Team Eksjöhus’s success is Pro Team Director Espen Träldal.

“We have been around for three years, and the biggest goal has been to win the team competition. We have skiers with different strengths. If someone is sick or in bad shape, we always have other skiers who go for top results,” says Träldal.

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

The ambiance in the group is another thing Espen emphasizes.

“The team has done a good job during the pre-season. We are an excellent group that works hard together. Everyone is happy for whoever gets a top result, and we celebrate as if everyone wins.”

Also Read: Magni Smedås becomes a Ski Classics Legend

Nomination for Pro Team Director of the Season

Thanks to his success, Espen Träldal is one of four Pro Team Directors nominated for the Pro Team Director of the Year Award:

“It’s an honor. It’s nice that people see our work, but we are a team, and many do the work together.”

How would you describe yourself as a team director?

“I like creating winning teams. I used to work in companies, and it was all about doing business. Now, it’s about people delivering, and I want to allow them to do that. I’m like a spider trying to give everyone the best conditions to do a good job.”

“Want to win on the men’s side”

The women have had a successful season with Magni Smedås winning three races. Kati Roivas is second in the Champion competition overall and has been on the podium seven times. In addition, Sofie Elebro had her first podium in her career.

“We have a solid women’s team. Magni has won several times, and hopefully, the guys can do it next year,” Espen says and continues:

“Of course, we have good coaches and a service team, too. We have everything to be a good team.”

Despite your successful season, what do you feel you want to improve for next year?

“We really want to win races on the men’s side as well. That’s the biggest goal for this weekend and next season: to have some guys going for the Yellow bib. We have several young skiers who are on their way up. Thomas Ødegaarden and Axel Jutterström are first and second in the Youth competition and can probably go for the Yellow bib next year,” Träldal concludes.

Read More: Are you ready for Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet?

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is Janteloppet on Saturday, April 13. The 100-kilometer long-distance skiing race in classic technique marks the 15th and final Ski Classics stage Season XV.

Janteloppet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 15

• Date: April 13, 2024
• Distance: 100km Classic Technique
• Place: Mosetertoppen, Norway
• Start Time: Men 8:00 CET / Women 8:05 CET
• Website: Janteloppet  
• Live Center: Janteloppet 
• SC Play: Janteloppet 

More information about Janteloppet can be found HERE and HERE

Read More:  Are you ready for Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet? 

Janteloppet – Course Map & Profile

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com