The sprint sensation from Norway is back at Beitostølen to defend her victory from last season’s premiere. Rumor says that she’s in excellent form.

Kristine Stavås Skistad made a thunderous comeback at the World Cup level last winter. Now, she is the top favorite to win at the season premiere in Beitostølen this weekend.

See facts and detailed program at the bottom of the article.

While some National team and elite skiers have withdrawn from this year’s opening weekend, Skistad is starting in all races: a classic sprint on Friday, a 10 kilometers classic on Saturday, and a 10 kilometers freestyle on Sunday.

These races will carry significant weight in the Norwegian selection for the World Cup premiere in Ruka, Finland, starting on November 24. And Skistad is rumored to be in great shape.

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Milestone

The win in the sprint at last year’s season premiere in Beitostølen was a milestone for Skistad.

“It means a lot. It’s an insane feeling,” she said after surpassing the entire national elite last year.

It also marked the beginning of an extraordinary comeback season for the super talent from Konnerud, Norway.

Kristine Stavås Skistad won the Norwegian Championship and five World Cup sprints last winter, all of them after the World Championships in Planica. After last season, she was offered a spot on the national elite team, but the 24-year-old declined. She had decided to continue her efforts outside the national team.

“I also feel that it’s the right and best choice for myself,” Skistad said to VG in connection with the national team selection in April.

Skistad had her international breakthrough in the 2018/2019 season when she joined the national team. It wasn’t a good experience, and she has spent several seasons rebuilding afterward. She has done so in what she considers a safe environment, in her own club, Konnerud.

Now she continues with the same recipe.

“The only thing I know is that this is what I will improve from, and this is how I will develop next season. Everyone agrees on that. Because the development has only gone one way in the last year, and we have to continue in that streak.”

Read also: Aukland wants to change the national team model

The article continues below.

FACTS: Beitostølen Premiere 

Who: Senior men and women with low FIS points
What: Classic sprint, 10km classic, and 10km freestyle (both with individual starts)
Where: Beitostølen, Norway
When: November 17 to 19, 2023

Events Program

Friday, November 17 

11:40 CET – 1.3km Sprint Quali C, Women
12:07 CET – 1.3km Sprint Quali C, Men
13:15 CET – 1.3km Sprint Final, Women
13:40 CET – 1.3km Sprint Final, Men 

More information can be found HERE.

Saturday, November 18

9:45 CET – 10km Interval C, Women
11:15 CET – 10km Interval C, Men

More information can be found HERE.

Sunday, November 19 

11:30 CET – 10km Interval F, Women
12:55 CET – 10km Interval F, Men

More information can be found HERE.