The Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII opened last weekend in Bad Gastein, Austria, and one of the early surprises came from Team Slavia Pojišťovna Robinson Trentino.

After the Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo and the 36-kilometer Bad Gastein Criterium, the Italian Pro Team sits third in the overall team standings, only behind Team Engcon and Team Eksjöhus.

The season opener featured two traditional formats, the team-based Pro Team Tempo on Saturday and the individual Bad Gastein Criterium on Sunday. Against a field dominated by Scandinavian powerhouses, Team Slavia Pojišťovna Robinson Trentino delivered consistent results across both days, securing its best-ever start to a Ski Classics season.

Ahead of the winter, Pro Team Director Bruno Debertolis strengthened the squad, supported by the arrival of a new main partner from the Czech Republic, insurance company Slavia Pojišťovna, joining long-time sponsor Robinson Trentino. The team now features athletes from France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Norway. Veteran Tord Asle Gjerdalen will represent the team selectively at major events, including Marcialonga, Vasaloppet, Jizerská 50, and Birkebeinerrennet.

In Saturday’s Pro Team Tempo, Simon Vuillet had the fifth-best time in the men’s race, closely followed by Germany’s Jacob Walther. On the women’s side, Hanna Fine timed tenth, with Italy’s Michaela Patscheider 11th. Team Engcon won the event.

Also Read: Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo Season XVII: Solid win for Team Engcon

Sunday’s Bad Gastein Criterium confirmed the team’s strong form. In a men’s race won by Kasper Stadaas and marked by Norwegian dominance in the top ten, Vuillet once again delivered a solid performance, finishing seventh. Gustav Eriksson crossed the line in 24th, while Czech skier Fabián Štoček finished 26th. Walther did not start after returning to Germany for a World Cup qualification race.

In the women’s Criterium, the race unfolded under the control of Anikken Gjerde Alnæs and Stina Nilsson, with Silje Øyre Slind close behind. Hanna Fine again proved to be the team’s strongest point scorer with a tenth-place finish, followed by Patscheider in 13th. Tereza Hujerová placed 17th, and Oda Nerdrum finished 21st.

Read More: Strong performances mark the Bad Gastein Criterium Season XVII

Speaking in a press release after the weekend, Debertolis highlighted both performance and teamwork.

“Full satisfaction for our best result ever. The two French athletes looked really strong. I hoped for a bit more from Eriksson, but he was coming back from a week of illness. Overall, the entire team performed well, and this is also thanks to the excellent work of the technicians. Having Pavel Sehnal present was special; he truly believes in this project, and the results made both him and President Gianni Casadei proud. This is a team that enjoys working together; it feels like a family.”

Patscheider also reflected positively on the season opener.

“I’m super happy with this weekend. We had a lot of fun, and Hanna and I tried to do our best for the team. I think we succeeded, and on the second day we raced part of the course together again.”

Fine echoed that sentiment.

“I’m really satisfied with both races, also for the team. Racing together with Michaela was great fun. I had amazing skis, so thanks to everyone working behind the scenes. It’s a very nice way to start the season.”

For Vuillet, the weekend marked a personal milestone.

“This is my first experience with Slavia Pojišťovna Robinson Trentino. I was a bit stressed at first because everything was new, but the service was excellent. I tried to manage my energy and sprint at the end. It’s my personal best result in Ski Classics, so I’m very happy.”

Ski Classics continue January 17 with Engadin La Diagonela, before the major season target at Marcialonga on January 25, where Gjerdalen is expected to make his first appearance for the team this winter.

Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.

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