This Italian Pro Team, with eight athletes, has two members from Sweden. The team has the longest name in Ski Classics, and the skiers want to do some serious business this winter.

The Swedes on the team are Madelene Melin and Rickard Ericsson. Madelene has actively raced in her home country, including several races at the Nationals and Vasaloppet, where she finished 50th last season. Richard participated in three Pro Tour events the previous winter, and Tartu Ski Maraton was his best race as he finished 47th there.

Riccardo Mich took part in six Pro Tour events and showed balanced performances throughout the season as his best result was 40th at Tartu Ski Maraton, and 83rd at Vasaloppet was his worst. However, that result is something to be proud of in that race. His younger brother Stefano was not far behind as his results ranged from Tartu’s 45th to Vasaloppet’s 94th in five races.

Manuel Amhof raced only in Italy and Austria, but he succeeded well at Pustertaler Ski Marathon and Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, 47th in both races. At Marcialonga, he was the 84th best skier, while his teammate Emanuele Bosin was right behind him with his 93rd place. Emanuele managed to be in the top 100 at Vasaloppet, 95th, and this 23-year-old skier can certainly improve in the future.

Paolo Fanton did not finish any Pro Tour events last winter, but he performed decently in some local races, as did Thea Schwingshackl, who is still dipping her toe in the water when it comes to long-distance skiing.

This team has good skiers who can even get some points here and there, but there are no big stars on the team. The male skiers need to put the pedal to the metal and speed up a bit this season, and the two ladies need to get more experience in skiing long and fast. When all this happens, this team will climb up the ladder and become a serious contender for the best Italian Pro Team title.

Team Futura Trentino Dolomiten Trauma Clinic

• Country: Italy
• Pro Team Director: Andrea Buttaboni
• Pro Team Ranking: 29

Athletes: