The Swede fought tooth and nail for the Green Sprint bib in Ski Classics throughout the season and succeeded. With unconventional methods, he won the Sprint competition and claimed the biggest victory both for himself and his own Pro Team.

Gabriel Strid, Team GS8, from Sunne in Värmland, is different from most others in Ski Classics.

He was never a standout star in traditional cross-country skiing. Solid, but not at a level that attracted widespread attention.

He moved to IFK Mora and delivered some strong results in Sweden, but it was not the right arena for “Gabbe.” He found his rhythm in long-distance racing.

He even started his own team, GS8, named after his initials.

Gradually, results began to come in, and the 28-year-old finished 8th at the Birkebeinerrennet, showing his potential.

But it was in the battle for the Green Sprint bib that he truly stood out.

This season’s Sprint competition became a duel between Gabriel Strid and Vebjørn Moen from Team Eksjöhus. The Norwegian from Tverlandet, outside Bodø, has often said he aims to win races and fight for the overall standings, but once again found himself battling for the Sprint title.

Strid’s determination proved unstoppable. Many will remember how he gave everything for sprint points during the 50km ITT in Orsa Grönklitt. Early in the race, he sprinted all-out, collapsed after the sprint point, lay on the ground breathing heavily, and then completed the race at a much more moderate pace.

At Marcialonga Bodø, the fight between Strid and Moen was still tight. But there, Strid surprised with a new tactic. He launched his Sprint so early that Moen could not follow. That gave him a decisive gap, and after a strong 15th place in the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja, Gabriel Strid secured the Sprint competition by 31 points over Vebjørn Moen.

Also Read: Ski Classics World Championship Season XVII: Final standings and all bib winners

In the women’s competition, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs of Team Engcon more or less secured the Green Sprint bib “along the way” in her pursuit of the overall title. As a former sprinter, it cost her little to take maximum points at the intermediate sprints.

A positive surprise was Julie Kvale Støstad of Team Ramudden, who challenged to some extent and finished second. She won the Sprint in the Czech Republic and, together with Anikken, was the only skier to surpass 200 sprint points.

Norwegian skiers dominated the competition, with Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, in third and Silje Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, in fourth.

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

Ski Classics World Championship Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics World Championship consisted of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• 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, 47km
• 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, 53km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Sulitjelma, Norway, 46km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss, Norway, 60km

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

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