The women’s freestyle race at the Lysebotn Opp was held today, and Ebba Andersson (SWE) had a dominant performance in the tough Norwegian uphill race.

The women’s uphill race Lysebotn Opp in freestyle technique, started this year’s Blink Festival. Ebba Andersson, from the Swedish National Team, was superior in the 7.5-kilometer race.

Andersson won by half a minute ahead of American Sophia Laukli, who won last year’s race. Eva Urevc from Slovenia finished in third place.

Ebba Andersson after the race:

“I think it was a controlled race. I tried to stay calm until the hill and from there find a good speed that I felt I could keep all the way up,” she told Langrenn.com.

When did you feel that victory was guaranteed?

“It was only when I started seeing the signboards. Then I realized that, okay, now my strength is enough for the finish line anyway.”

Top 3 – Lysebotn Opp – Freestyle Women

1. Ebba Andersson, Sweden, 33:49
2. Sophia Laukli, USA, 34:23
3. Eva Urevc, Slovenia, 34:52

Complete results HERE. 

Next, at 14:00 CET, it’s time for the women’s and men’s double poling race, and at 15:30, the men’s race is in freestyle technique.

On Thursday, August 3, it’s time for Blink Classics, a 50 kilometers roller ski race in classic technique, with Max Novak and Linn Sömskar as reigning champions.

Read More: Max Novak and Linn Sömskar winners of Blink Classics 2022 

On Friday, a 10/15 kilometers mass start race awaits the cross-country skiers, and on Saturday, a sprint race.

Registered Ski Classics Pro Teams

• Team Janteloppet (former Team Northug Crucible)
• Team Aker Dæhlie
• Lager 157 Ski Team
• Team Ramudden
• Team Eksjöhus
• Team Ragde Charge
• Team Engcon
• Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso
• Team Kaffebryggeriet
• Team Robinson Trentino
• Team Nordic Experience
• Team Vercors Isére
• Danish Skimarathon Team
• Team Mäenpää
• Bruse Sauerland Ski Team 
• Team NTNUI Sweco
• Team Front Rustad IL
• Team Synnfjell

Also Read: Blink 2023, unveiling the complete calendar

FACTS: BLINK 2023

• Who:  Cross-country skiers and biathletes at national and international levels, as well as junior classes and age-specific classes for younger athletes
• What:  Summer ski festival cross-country skiing, biathlon, and long-distance skiing, held for the first time in 2006
• Where:  Sandnes, Lysefjorden and Gjesdal, Norway
• When:  August 2 to 5, 2023 
• Organizers:  Norwegian Ski Association, Norwegian Biathlon Association, Sandnes municipality, and Axelar
• Website: www.blinkfestivalen.no

Program Blink 2023 

August 2, Wednesday:  BLINK Lysebotn Up, 7.5km uphill race, start in Lysefjorden

• 11:30: 1km and 2km girls and boys
• 12:15: 7.5km skating women senior, women junior
• 14:00: 7.5km double poling women and men senior
• 15:30: 7.5km skating men senior, men junior

August 3, Thursday:  BLINK Classics at Ålgård

• 18:45: Start BLINK Classics
• 20:45: Estimated finish BLINK Classics

August 4, Friday: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:30 – 14:20: Cross-country skiing and biathlon: competitions for age groups and juniors 
• 12:00-21:00: OBOS Kid Camp
• 14:30-15:15: Biathlon: Shooting elite
• 15:30-15:50: Cross-country skiing: Prologue women and men
• 15:55-16:50: Biathlon: Shooting duel women and men
• 17:10-18:25: Biathlon: Super sprint qualification elite women and men
• 18:25-18:55: Cross-country skiing: 10km mass start women
• 18:55-19:45: Biathlon: Super sprint final women and men
• 19:45-20: 25: Cross-country skiing: 15km mass start men
• 20:45: Prize-giving ceremony

August 5, Saturday: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:40-14:20: Cross-country skiing and biathlon: competitions for age groups and juniors
• 12:00-21:00: OBOS Kid Camp
• 14:30-15:15: Biathlon: Shooting elite
• 15:20-15:40: Cross-country skiing: Prologue women and men
• 15:45-17:37: Biathlon: Quarter-finals start women and men
• 17:44-19:20: Cross-country skiing: Sprint quarter-finals and semifinals women and men
• 19:22-20:08: Biathlon: Semifinals mass start women and men
• 20:10-20:23: Cross-country skiing: Finals sprint women and men
• 20:25-21:05: Biathlon: finals mass start women and men
• 21:25: Prize-giving ceremony 

All competitions are broadcast on NRK.