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.