The end of Season XIV is just around the corner, and one of the toughest races of the Ski Classics calendar takes place today. ProXCskiing analyzed the favorite skiers for the Reistadløpet victory, depending on if they chose to use or not to use kick wax.

Reistadløpet is a long-distance cross-country skiing race that takes place in Northern Norway. The racecourse covers a distance of 40 kilometers and takes the Pro Tour athletes through the rugged and challenging terrain of the Finnmark Plateau.

The event is considered one of the most demanding and challenging races in the Ski Classics calendar due to its hilly course, which includes steep ascents and descents, frozen lakes, and dense forests. The race is known for its unpredictable weather conditions, including strong winds, extreme cold, and heavy snowfall. And this year, the forecast said there would be a lot of new snow, especially during the days leading to the race.

Who are the favorite Pro Tour athletes to win Reistadløpet? Of all the Ski Classics Pro Tour events, Reistadløpet is the one that favors more the skiers who use kick wax, especially on the women’s side. We analyzed those who may take the victory this Saturday.

The Favorite Male Athletes To Win Reistadløpet 

Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, is undeniably one of the top contenders to win the race. Despite the challenges it presents, Emil is one of the skiers who plan to double pole. 

Emil is the Yellow bib winner but lost the Climb competition bib to Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge. So, besides winning the race this week, Emil is looking to get the Climb bib back. 

However, during the pre-event interview earlier this week, Persson said that his shape had been up and down, so he is not totally confident. 

Last season he finished Reistadløpet in 21st place due to a crash. This year, the Swedish skier hopes not to crash and be strong at the first uphill.

Another strong contender to win the race is Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, who has just managed to get his first season victory at Birkebeinerrennet. Nygaard states during the interview that he has been feeling strong, but the snow forecast may be challenging. 

According to the forecast, it was possible to snow 30-40 centimeters in the days before the race, which is suitable for the skiers using kick wax. And just like Emil Persson, Nygaard is not as strong at diagonal striding as he is with the double-poling technique.

Finally, another athlete might be the skier of the day. Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge, is currently leading the Climb competition, and he surely wants to have a good performance to keep the bib that Emil is also looking to get.

Johan Hoel was in 2nd place at Birkebeinerrennet and has been feeling an upward trend in his shape. The Norwegian skier is not planning to go with kick wax, so he is not sure if Reistadløpet will secure him the Climb competition. 

Other athletes may be suitable for the win, just like Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel, who has some advantage over other skiers due to having an excellent diagonal striding technique. Last year, Tord Asle finished the race in second place, but he may be well-suited to fight for victory this year.

Also, last year’s Reistadløpet was won by Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Team Eksjöhus, and this Norwegian traditional cross-country skier will be racing again this year. His recent second place at the Falun World Cup last week shows he is in good shape.

The Favorite Female Athletes To Win Reistadløpet 

Like on the men’s side, the women’s race will face athletes using kick wax and double poling technique. The first athlete that comes to our minds is the Norwegian athlete who has been competing on the World Cup and the Ski Classics circuit with great success. 

Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, is known for her exceptional skills in traditional skiing and double poling, essential techniques in long-distance skiing. In traditional skiing, Slind can glide efficiently on the skis while maintaining a good rhythm. She is also a force to be reckoned with when it comes to double poling. Her combination of traditional skiing and double poling skills makes her a strong contender for winning Reistadløpet if she has a good day.

But other skiers can also have a chance of winning there, just like Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, and Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge. These three ladies have been performing well in long-distance skiing but have also been good traditional skiers.

Last season, Ida Dahl finished the race in 9th place using only double poling. So, this year she expects to improve her capacity and be stronger during the race. Dahl also has two other reasons for fighting hard: the Yellow and Green bibs.

Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, also used the double poling technique last year, but this time she is considering using kick wax. According to the Pro Tour athlete, it is a tough race, and skiers must have a good day. Emilie is hoping to be in better shape than last year.

Anikken Gjerde Alnæs feels ready for the weekend and quickly states that she will be using double poling as usual. Anikken is fighting with Ida Dahl for the Green bib, her season’s main goal. Now, she needs to go for it.

Finally, Magni Smedå needs a strong performance this Saturday, as she is fighting for the Yellow bib overall. Magni is a skier with a solid traditional skiing background, so she might use kick wax to get an advantage over Ida Dahl.

To Kick Wax or Not To Kick Wax

Reistadløpet is the most challenging race for double-poling athletes. The characteristics of the course and the weather conditions of this year’s edition favor those who are more comfortable using kick wax.

It will be interesting to watch if this race will finally be won using the double poling technique, both on the men’s and women’s sides.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 68km

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

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