The first day of the Blink Festival 2026 in Norway saw Norwegian star Einar Hedegart claim victory in the challenging uphill race, Lysebotn Opp, in freestyle technique. 

Day one of the festival was highlighted by the demanding 7.5km uphill event, where athletes had the choice of competing in either skating (freestyle) or classic (double poling) technique in two separate events.

The freestyle competition featured a solid World Cup field. In the men’s race, Einar Hedegart took the win, followed by the Norwegian Andreas Fjorden Ree in second place and Kasper Andersson Herland, also from Norway, in third.

Also Read: Øyre Slind and Musgrave dominate Lysebotn Opp classic 2026

Top 3 Lysebotn Opp, Freestyle Men

1. Einar Hedegart, Norway, 29:49
2. Andreas Fjorden Ree, Norway, +0:07
3. Kasper Andersson Herland, +0:16

Complete results can be found HERE

*The story is being updated

Also Read – All you need to know ahead of the Blink Festival 2026

COMPETITION SCHEDULE BLINK 2026

Wednesday, August 5: Lysebotn Opp, Lysebotn

• 11:45 CEST: 7.5km freestyle, women
• 13:30 CEST: 7.5km classic (double poling), women and men
• 15:00 CEST: 7.5km freestyle, men

Thursday, August 6: Blink Classics, Ålgård

• 18:45CEST: Start, 50km classic mass start, women and men

Friday, August 7: Sandnes

• 15:30 CEST: Cross-country skiing prologue, women and men
• 15:55 CEST: Biathlon, shooting duel, women and men
• 17:10 CEST: Biathlon supersprint qualifiers, women and men
• 18:25 CEST: Cross-country skiing mass start 10km freestyle, women
• 18:55 CEST: Cross-country skiing mass start 15km freestyle, men
• 19:35 CEST: Biathlon supersprint finals, women and men

Saturday, August 8: Sandnes

• 15:30 CEST: Cross-country skiing sprint freestyle prologue, women and men
• 16:05 CEST: Biathlon mass start quarter-finals, women and men
• 17:44 CEST: Sprint freestyle quarter-finals and semi-finals, women and men
• 19:22 CEST: Biathlon mass start semi-finals, women and men
• 20:10 CEST: Sprint freestyle finals, women and men
• 20:25 CEST: Biathlon mass start finals, women and men

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