Last Sunday, Oskar Kardin claimed the biggest victory of his career by winning Vasaloppet. This weekend, the first 50km Individual Time Trial race in Ski Classics history awaits, a competition Kardin believes could suit him well.

Last weekend, Oskar Kardin, Lager 157 Ski Team, stood on the top step of the podium at Vasaloppet. Now, another major challenge awaits as Ski Classics organizes a historic 50km Individual Time Trial race in Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden.

Also Read: All you need to know ahead of the Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Season XVII

However, the days following the big triumph have not only been about training.

“I had a rest day on Monday with many other things going on, interviews and congratulations. Monday was a hectic day. Yesterday (Tuesday), I did some easy skiing and light training today (Wednesday) as well. Tomorrow (Thursday), I’ll do a standard interval session, and then we’ll see how it feels. But I’ve been feeling good,” Oskar Kardin said during Wednesday’s press conference.

Read More: Olympic star skips World Cup for Ski Classics

New challenge ahead

This weekend, Ski Classics presents a different kind of challenge, a 50km race with an individual start where each skier competes alone against the clock.

How does a 50km individual start suit you?

“I think it could suit me quite well. But we’ll see. I’ve done two 50km races before at the Swedish Championships, but that was 10–15 years ago when I wasn’t training properly.”

Important to maintain your own pace

In a 50km individual start race, it is crucial to maintain a high pace on your own throughout the entire race. This is a specific strength that some athletes possess, while others are better at drafting behind others.

“I think I’m good at holding my own pace. I also showed that in Vasaloppet when I broke away from the group in the last 10km and just kept a fast enough pace to be first to the finish.”

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. 

• 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, 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