On the first day of the Blink Festival in Norway, Norwegian Simen Hegstad Krüger won the challenging uphill race Lysebotn Opp in freestyle technique. 

Blink Festival day one was marked by a short but challenging uphill roller ski race, Lysebotn Opp. The participating skiers had the option to start the 7.5km climb either in skating or double poling technique in two different events.

The freestyle competition had many World Cup skiers at the start. In the men’s race, Simen Hegstad Krüger (NOR) won the race. Ireneu Esteve Altimiras (AND) finished in second place, and Mika Vermeulen (AUT) completed the podium in third place.

Top 3 Lysebotn Opp, Freestyle Men

1. Simen Hegstad Krüger (NOR)
2. Ireneu Esteve Altimiras (AND)
3. Mika Vermeulen (AUT)

Complete results can be found HERE 

*The story is being updated

Read More
Musgrave and Øyre Slind winners at the Lysebotn Opp double poling race 2024
Weng freestyle winner at the Lysebotn Opp 2024

On Thursday, August 1, it’s time for Blink Classics, a 50-kilometer roller ski race in classic technique, with Astrid Øyre Slind and Andrew Musgrave as reigning champions.

Read More: Double win for Team Aker Dæhlie at Blink Classics 2023

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

Ski Classics Pro Teams

• Team Ramudden
• Team Aker Dæhlie
• Lager 157 Ski Team
• Team Eksjöhus
• Team Engcon
• Team Ragde Charge
• Team Kaffebryggeriet
• Exsitec Ski Team
• i3 Ski Team
• Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso
• Team Synnfjell
• Ski Team Göhlins
• Team Front Rustad IL
• Team NTNUI
• Team Nordic Experience
• Team Robinson Trentino
• Team Northug

Also Read – Blink Festival 2024: Complete calendar

FACTS: BLINK FESTIVAL 2024

• 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:  July 31 to August 3, 2024
• Website: https://www.blinkfestivalen.no/

Program

Wednesday, July 31:  BLINK Lysebotn Up, 7.5km uphill race

• 11:00 CET: 1km and 2km girls and boys
• 11:45 CET: 7.5km skate women senior and women junior
• 13:30 CET: 7.5km double poling women and men senior
• 15:00 CET: 7.5km skate men senior and men junior
• Prize giving at Øygardstøl after the finish

Thursday, August 1:  BLINK Classics at Ålgård

• 15:00-23:00 CET: Folk Festival at Ålgård – activities for children and young people
• 15:00-15:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen
• 17:00-17:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen
• 18:45 CET: Start BLINK Classics
• 20:45 CET: Estimated finish time BLINK Classics
• 21:15 CET: Free concert with Postgirobygget

Friday, August 2: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:00-14:20 CET: Competitions for age groups and juniors 
• 12:00-21:00 CET: Kid Camp – activities for children and young people in Rutenparken
• 14:00-14:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 14:30-15:15 CET: Shooting – biathlon elite
• 15:30-15:50 CET: Cross-country skiing – prologue women and men
• 15:55-16:50 CET: Biathlon – shooting duel women and men
• 17:00-17:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 17:10-18:25 CET: Biathlon – super sprint qualification elite women and men
• 18:25-18:55 CET: Cross-country skiing – 10km mass start women
  18:55-19:45 CET: Biathlon – super sprint final women and men
• 19:45-20:25 CET: Cross-country skiing – 15km mass start men
• 20:45 CET: Award ceremony
• 21:00 CET: Free concert with D.D.E.

Saturday, August 3: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:30-14:20 CET: Competitions for age groups and juniors
• 11:00-12:00 CET: Free brunch
• 12:00-21:00 CET: Kid Camp – activities for children and young people in Rutenparken
• 12:00-12:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 14:15-15:00 CET: Prize-giving ceremony for age groups in Rutenparken
• 14:30-15:15 CET: Shooting – biathlon elite
• 15:30-15:40 CET: Cross-country skiing – prologue men
• 15:45-17:37 CET: Biathlon – qualification mix and single mix relay
• 16:00-16:45 CET: Show with Superbussen and Fantorangen in Rutenparken
• 17:44-19:20 CET: Cross-country skiing – quarterfinals and semifinals sprint women and men
• 19:22-20:08 CET: Biathlon – final mixed relay
• 20:10-20:23 CET: Cross-country skiing – finals sprint women and men
• 20:25-21:05 CET: Biathlon – final single mix relay
• 21:25 CET: Awards ceremony
• 21:45 CET: Free concert with Highasakite

All competitions are broadcast on NRK. 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.