A gap in the competition calendar and a longing for long-distance races opened up the possibility of strengthening Team Eksjöhus ahead of Reistadløpet. Olympic-merited Emma Ribom and Marcus Grate have just finished the Swedish Championship week and have a competition-free weekend. Instead of resting, the duo, therefore, chose to stand on the starting line in Team Eksjöhus colors.

“I have long been eager to test the ‘wings’ during Visma Ski Classics. Reistadløpet is well placed in the calendar and after talking to Team Eksjöhus, it felt natural to make a jump in the long-distance circuit. It is a wonderful group and a team with a good atmosphere that I look forward to competing with on Saturday,” says Emma Ribom.

“Just like Emma, ​​I have also glanced at the long-distance circuit and think it can give me a lot as a skier. I look forward to the challenge and to experience Visma Ski Classics for real,” says Marcus Grate.

Team manager Oskar Svärd is looking forward to an exciting competition with the team’s strongest team ever on the starting line. Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Magni Smedås will start after a very strong Norwegian Championships, where Martin took gold in the 15km classic. Eric Rosjö can look back on a great Swedish Championship week with a silver in the 50km. Axel Jutterström has found the form after the Birkebeinerrennet and Hedda Bångman did the best race of the season in the Årefjällsloppet last weekend.

“On Saturday we put our strongest team ever on the starting line and it feels very fun to have Emma and Marcus in the team. We have the potential to make the best race of the season with many nice placements. It will be a fantastically fun fight to look forward to, with many talented traditional skiers on the starting line, such as Ebba Andersson and Johaug,” says Oskar Svärd.

Reistadløpet’s Visma Ski Classics is by far the toughest race in terms of hilly profile. No woman or man has ever won the race without kick wax. It is therefore a long race that suits traditional skiers like Emma Ribom better.

“It is a challenging course that I think suits me well. I have not trained specifically for this, but I know my qualities as a skier and look forward to being a part of the long-distance circus during a weekend. My goal is to feel strong over the mountains,” concludes Emma Ribom.