Aiming for the Olympics and the World Championships in Falun, but turning down the national team: Astrid has signed a contract with Team Aker Dæhlie through to the 2027 World Championships.

According to information obtained by Langrenn.com, Astrid Øyre Slind has declined a spot on the national team. The 37-year-old is instead continuing her career with the private team Team Aker Dæhlie, aiming for the 2026 Olympics and the 2027 World Championships.

“Astrid has a contract with Team Aker Dæhlie through the World Championships in Falun in 2027. We’ve made plans together,” Slind’s personal coach Chris Jespersen told VG.

National team director Per Elias Kalfoss stated that he would not comment on team selections until the official announcement on Monday, April 28. The federation is still in negotiations with athletes regarding placements on the 2025–26 national team.

This marks the third consecutive year that Øyre Slind has chosen to compete independently.

The reasons behind her decision to once again stay outside the national team structure are the same as when she turned down the federation’s offer last year.

What were the most important factors that led you to continue with Team Aker Dæhlie?
“Security is important and means a lot to me. The daily follow-up I get from (coach) Chris (Jespersen), the great training camps we have within the team, and that I get strong competition. If I had joined the national team, I would have had to follow their camp schedule and setup,” Øyre Slind told Langrenn.com during the selection process for the 2024–25 season.

Best Norwegian for three years

This winter, Astrid Øyre Slind had some tough luck at the World Championships in Trondheim. Apart from a silver medal in the relay, she didn’t take home any individual medals at the home championships. However, she secured 13 podium finishes in the World Cup this winter, including four victories, and finished fourth overall as the top Norwegian.

She has held that title for the past three seasons. So far, her best individual result remains the bronze medal in the skiathlon at the 2023 World Championships.

Men’s team finalized

On the men’s side, the 2025–26 national team is reportedly already finalized.

The national team management puts forward their recommendations for athlete selection. The final decision is then made by the cross-country committee of the Norwegian Ski Federation. The team and its members will be officially presented during the federation’s marketing days in Oslo on April 28.

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