Olaf Talmo is certainly a familiar name in the Pro Tour setting, and he was quite conspicuous in seven Pro Tour events he completed last season. Birkebeinerrennet turned out to be his greatest achievement in Season XII as he finished 35th. In the other races, he found himself between the 49th and 92nd places.

Ludvig Vartdal’s performance throughout the winter was also very impeccable, and this 23-year-old skier can be very proud of himself. He also finished seven events where he was placed in and out of the top 50, Marcialonga’s 47th place being his best result.

Compared to his teammates, Kristoffer By Vollset, 26, has not much long-distance racing experience. In 2018 he finished 123rd at Birkebeinerrennet. Last season, he was mostly a top 50 finisher at the Norwegian National Championships in various distances, but Ski Classics is still a new game to him.

Thomas Halfdan Baumann celebrated his 20th birthday this summer, and he is a newbie in the world of long-distance skiing or skiing in general. He has not been active since 2020, at least in any FIS races.

Hanna Sandholt Hansen, 21, is also facing a steep learning curve when it comes to long-distance skiing, but she was able to race quite well at the Norwegian National Championships. In the 30 km skating race she was 32nd, and in the skiathlon race she finished 36th.

Guri Sollien Hulbak, 22, took part last season in Vasaloppet, Birken, and La Diagonela and finished 81st, 83rd, and 40th, respectively. She also participated in a 95 km race from Venabu to Lillehammer in April, so she has tested her endurance capacity and probably finds herself ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Ski Classics.

Hanne Skulbru, 26, was more active as she completed six Pro Tour events, and reaching the top-40 club became a regular feat for her. Endagin La Diagonela’s 26th place was her best result. Ingeborg Kristensen Hoftun, 21, was not as successful as Hanne in her only Pro Tour race, Birken, but she was close to the top 50 group by being the 53rd fastest female skier.

Olaf, Ludvig, and Kristoffer have a chance to become solid top 50, or even 40, skiers next season. If Lady Luck is on their side and they conjure up their peak performance in some of the races, they will come up with a nice surprise and be even much closer to the top. The female skiers have a long way to the top if they want to rock’n’roll in the world of long-distance skiing, but there is still time for them to blossom.

Team NTNUI Sweco

• Country: Norway
• Pro Team Director: Ludvig Vartdal
• Pro Team Ranking: 18

Athletes: