The Pro Team competition is determined by the total amount of Pro Team points after the season. Pro Team points are distributed at each Pro Tour event based on the Pro Team’s collected Champion points from the Pro Team’s best two male athletes and best two female athletes, the total Sprint and Climb points collected by the athletes, and 50% of the Youth points of the best female athlete and best male athlete. 

The Pro Team competition will be extremely fierce this season. There are several teams who can claim the title of the “Best Pro Team” in Ski Classics. However, there may be some chances in the top ranking after this season. Only time will tell!

The current number one Pro Team, Team Ramudden, is still strong, but they suffer from three big losses. Lina Korsgren retired after a long and successful career, Ida Dahl transferred to Team Engcon, and Max Novak jumped ship and now represents Team Aker Dæhlie. Three great point collectors are gone, but they still have great Youth skiers who can get many crucial points in their respective categories. 

These young athletes are Herman Paus, Amund Riege, Ida Palmberg, and Alba Björnsdotter. Both Herman and Amund can be on the podium or very close by in any race, and the female skiers will certainly get points in the Youth category. Emilie Fleten is a new recruit and will be a constant podium performer next season.

Lager 157 Ski Team is the second-best Pro Team before the new season starts. They have great skiers, but the team may need to be stronger to stay second-best. Britta Johansson Norgren, six-time Champion, retired, and no one can fill her shoes right away.

Emil Persson and Runar Skaug Mathisen are the team stars, while Marcus Johansson, Torleif Syrstad, Alvar Myhlback, and Nils Persson support them the best they can. Syrstad is a great Vasaloppet skier and a good addition to this Swedish Pro Team. Persson is a strong candidate to win the Champion competition and always shoots for podium places. Last season, Mathisen showed that he could finally fight for top positions.

The two female skiers, Karolina Hedenström and Linnea Johansson, have grown and developed, but they can’t take Britta’s place quite yet. They will get some points for the team, but podium places are still unrealistic for them.

Team Ragde Charge is currently ranked as the third-best Pro Team, and this gang is used to being number one. They crave to be back on top and will go for it with all guns blazing this winter.

Their male roster is second to none as they have the reigning Champion Andreas Nygaard, podium skiers and stage winners Oskar Kardin, Kasper Stadaas, and Johan Hoel. Additionally, the eternally young Anders Aukland and a trusted support skier Joar Thele assist their team in any way they can. 

There are no Youth skiers on the team, which will naturally hurt their chances in the fight for the number one Pro Team. But there are two strong women on the team. Jenny Larsson will return to action after a yearlong hiatus, and Anikken Gjerde Alnæs will bring in great sprint points. If Jenny returns to the same level she was at before her injury, she will fight for podium places.

The fourth-best squad of skiers is Team Aker Dæhlie, and this team will be very powerful. They are shooting for the stars and beyond and will challenge the three teams mentioned above. If every team member performs at their best, this team will crush the field.

Stian Hoelgaard and Max Novak are steady podium skiers in the men’s competition, and the same goes for Astrid Øyre Slind on the women’s side. She is now supported by her sister Silje who can also take podium places this season. Then, Vebjørn Moen has a chance to take over the sprint competition and thus get many needed points. Additionally, Chris Andre Jespersen and newcomer Petter Stakston are solid skiers who can be in the top 10/20 and support their team. 

These are the four Pro Teams that have the best chances to win this category. Team Eksjöhus could be a dark horse, but winning is perhaps a step too much for them to take at this stage. There are many factors that can affect a team’s performance throughout the season, and it is not an easy task to predict the outcome of this competition. But if an order needs to be established, it is as follows:

Team Ragde Charge

• Country: Norway
• Pro Team Director: Magnar Dalen 

Team Aker Dæhlie

• Country: Norway
• Pro Team Director: Joachim Aurland 

Team Ramudden 

• Country: Sweden
• Pro Team Director: Lina Korsgren

Lager 157 Ski Team

• Country: Sweden
• Pro Team Director: Anton Järnberg

Team Eksjöhus

• Country: Sweden
• Pro Team Director: Oskar Svärd 

Written by Expert Commentator Teemu Virtanen.

More information about Ski Classics you can find at skiclassics.com.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentaries.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

Register HERE as a Member.

Read More: Ski Classics Announced The 35 Pro Teams Season XIV