According to a press release from the Norwegian Ski Federation, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has decided to skip this week’s Blink Festival 2024. 

The reason is that an elbow injury followed by a cold delayed his preparations, and tough competitions came too soon.

“In June, Johannes became acquainted with an elbow injury and a cold that delayed the training phase after the injury. In consultation with the health team, it has been decided that tough competitions during the Blink Festival unfortunately come too soon. In the future, he will prioritize training and follow-up with a physiotherapist at home in Trondheim,” says Norwegian National Team Doctor Ove Feragen.

Also Read: Norwegian national cross-country skiing team for the season 2024/2025

Blink Festival 2024

The Blink Festival is starting in a few days. Check the complete calendar of competitions of Norway’s renowned summer ski festival.

Scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 3, this year’s edition of the Blink Festival offers events for cross-country and long-distance skiers, biathletes, and activities for children and young people.

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.