On Monday, the Norwegian Ski Association presented the national team for the 2025/2026 season. Here’s what the women’s elite squad looks like for the upcoming season, with the Olympics being the clear highlight.

According to a press release, nine women have been selected for the 2025/2026 Norwegian national team, including Therese Johaug and one newcomer.

Anne Kjersti Kalvå has been dropped from the team after two seasons of weak results. The young athlete Nora Sanness joins the team. Like her boyfriend, Andreas Fjorden Ree, the 25-year-old from Kjelsås is moving up from the now-disbanded development team.

Astrid Øyre Slind was offered a place on the elite team but declined. This is the third year in a row that the veteran from Oppdal has opted for private training over the Association’s offer.

Also Read: Astrid Øyre Slind snubs the National Team once again

Despite a rock-solid comeback season, the team management has not found room for Helene Marie Fossesholm. The 23-year-old, who was dropped from the national team last year, must continue her efforts outside the national team.

Johaug in the Decision-Making Phase

Therese Johaug will continue into the upcoming season, even though she has not yet made a final decision about continuing her career.

Johaug had originally decided to end her comeback career after the 50km race at the World Championships in Trondheim. However, after the championship, she opened up to the possibility of continuing her effort through the 2026 Olympics. A final decision will come later.

Read More: Johaug postpones Olympic comeback decision

The following athletes have been selected for the 2025/2026 Norwegian National Team

WOMEN

• Margrethe Bergane
• Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs
• Therese Johaug*
• Julie Myhre
• Mathilde Myrvold
• Nora Sanness (new)
• Kristine Stavås Skistad
• Heidi Weng
• Lotta Udnes Weng
• Tiril Udnes Weng

*Therese Johaug has been removed, but has been given the opportunity to answer later.

COACHING TEAM – WOMEN ELITE

• Sjur Ole Svarstad
• Marit Bjørgen
• Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplass

This winter, the Norwegian Ski Association decided to disband the development and junior national teams starting from the 2025/2026 season.

Tough Battle for Olympic Spots

The 2026 Olympics in Milan/Cortina is the clear highlight of the season. Norway can only send eight skiers of each gender, compared to 12 for the World Championships, so the battle for spots will be fierce. Selection for the championship will primarily be based on results from the top level during the first part of the season. Therefore, it becomes even more crucial to secure a spot in the World Cup early on.

In that regard, two skiers outside the national teams have an ace up their sleeves: Mattis Stenshagen and Helene Fossesholm. As overall winners of the Scandinavian Cup this winter, they have earned a free spot in the World Cup for the entire first period, up until the Tour de Ski.

World Cup and Olympics 2026

The calendar for the cross-country World Cup is not yet 100% finalized. It will be confirmed at the FIS spring meeting from May 5 to 9 and formally approved at the FIS Congress later in the spring/early summer.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.

The cross-country skiing events at the Winter Olympics are as follows

• February 7: Skiathlon, women
• February 8: Skiathlon, men
• February 10: Classic sprint, women and men
• February 12: 10km freestyle, women
• February 13: 10km freestyle, men
• February 14: Relay, women
• February 15: Relay, men
• February 18: Team sprint, women and men
• February 21: 50km classic, men
• February 22: 50km classic, women

Complete event program for all disciplines available HERE

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