17-year-old challenged Valnes & Co

by Ingeborg Scheve/Leandro Lutz • 24.08.2025

Member Article

Photo: Ingeborg Scheve/Langrenn.com

Seized his chance in the Toppidrettsveka sprint – moved ahead of Valnes and World Cup stars and went all out.

When Halvor Sellesbakk (17) advanced from the prologue in the Toppidrettsveka sprint, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

“A gap opened up here, so I thought, ‘Oh, I just have to take the chance. Now I’m going to be on TV and lead.’ And I managed it, so I’m satisfied,” says the 17-year-old from Byåsen to Langrenn.com with a big smile.

It was a brutal heat the junior comet found himself in: On the start line stood Erik Valnes, France’s Lucas Chanavat, Finnish World Cup stars Emil Liekari and Niilo Moilanen, as well as Amund Korsæth, who won the overall Roller Ski World Cup a couple of years ago.

“I blew up, I have to admit. I stiffened up right away on the finishing stretch, and then I didn’t have much to bring against those guys. But it was fun while it lasted,” says Sellesbakk.

“This is only the beginning”

District leader in Sør-Trøndelag, Bror Spilker, is not surprised that Sellesbakk advanced from the prologue. He has followed the youngster for several years.

“He has a special knack for mishaps in sprints. I’ve seen him crash out of gold both at the National Youth Championships and at the Junior Nationals,” Spilker tells Langrenn.com.

However, he believes that the cross-country talent will “grow out of” the bad luck with more experience.

“Just remember his name now. This is only the beginning,” says the district leader.

Major talent

Halvor Sellesbakk won the overall Norwegian Cup for men junior 17 years last winter. There, he collected seven victories, one second place, one fourth place, and a total of nine top-10 finishes in the 12 races he competed in.

He is most proud of having been just two seconds away from beating Petter Northug at the Norwegian Championships Part 2 in Hovden.

“That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve achieved, merit-wise. It was insanely fun.”

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