The major initiative behind superstar Astrid Øyre Slind is launching a new traditional cross-country ski team, bringing in large parts of the now-disbanded Norwegian development and junior national teams.

Dæhlie and Røkke started Team Aker Dæhlie three years ago to shake up cross-country skiing and challenge the established models. Now, Team Aker Dæhlie Nordmarka is being launched – a new team aiming for the top among the world’s best skiers, featuring several of Norway’s greatest young talents.

See the full team lineup further down in the article.

“There’s a lot going on in Norwegian cross-country skiing these days, especially after the junior and development national teams were shut down. We believe it’s important that an actor like Team Aker Dæhlie shows our commitment to contributing to Norwegian skiing. That’s what we’re doing now with this new traditional cross-country ski team,” says Jarle Wermskog of Team Aker Dæhlie to Langrenn.com.

That’s why Team Aker Dæhlie joined forces with other people with great ideas. The result? An even better sports setup for athletes just below the national team level who are aiming high.

Also Read: “The Association’s offer is not good enough – I think they know that themselves”

Full package with Team Aker Dæhlie, while the Norwegian Ski Association demands a financial contribution

Hedda Østberg Amundsen was left without a team when the development national team was shut down this winter. The 26-year-old, coming off the best season of her career, was offered a spot on a regional team instead – but she wasn’t tempted.

“I concluded that Team Aker Dæhlie is the best option for me. It’s a very professional setup that invests heavily in waxing teams. They have many strong athletes and the best financial offer for me. Everything is in place to grow and perform at a high level,” she tells Langrenn.com.

Athletes on Team Aker Dæhlie receive the full package: coaching, training camps, travel, waxing support, and medical staff are all included. On the regional team, athletes must pay a fee plus cover travel and accommodation costs for winter races – up to NOK 100,000 per season.

Athletes get involved

In addition to having her full season funded, Amundsen finds that the private team involves athletes in all aspects of the process much more than she’s used to.

“It’s a different team than the development one, with a new coach and support crew, but I’ve been involved in the process of shaping the team and its launch. This is something new and exciting that I really wanted to be part of.”

Attractive concept

And Team Aker Dæhlie has succeeded in selling the concept.

Half of the skiers from the now-disbanded development national team have chosen to join the new traditional cross-country ski project with Team Aker Dæhlie:
Hedda Østberg Amundsen, Ingrid Andrea Gulbrandsen, Håvard Moseby, and Martin Kirkeberg Mørk.

Also joining are Filip Skari and Lars Heggen, two of this year’s junior world champions, now entering their first senior season.

The coaching staff is also strengthened: Mats Iversen, brother and coach of Emil Iversen, will lead the new traditional cross-country ski team.

Forward-thinking

Wermskog emphasizes that while the team includes some top-level athletes, the concept is focused on the future — something reflected in the team lineup.

“Seven of the nine athletes are under 26, so naturally we’re thinking ahead to the 2030 Olympics in France. But we also have skiers like Moseby, who finished fifth in the Tour de Ski, and Gjøran Tefre, who was second in a World Cup race last year. So, we have athletes who could already knock on the door of the Olympic squad this upcoming season,” says Wermskog.

So, how did you land on the name Team Aker Dæhlie Nordmarka?

“Nordmarka was part of the concept brought in by Geir Skari, Filip Skari’s father and coach. They’re from Nittedal, Lars Heggen is from Harestua, and most of the team now has a connection to Nordmarka as their training ground,” Wermskog explains.

“But who knows – someone might just ‘buy’ the Nordmarka part of the name,” he adds.

The following athletes are on Team Aker Dæhlie Nordmarka 2025–26:

• Filip Skari (20), Nittedal IL – joins from junior national team
• Lars Heggen (19), Harestua IL – joins from junior national team
• Håvard Moseby (25), Kjelsås IL – joins from development national team
• Martin Kirkeberg Mørk (24), Drammen BK – joins from development national team
• Hedda Østberg Amundsen (26), Asker SK – joins from development national team
• Ingrid Andrea Gulbrandsen (25), Bardufoss og Omegn IL – joins from development national team
• Emma Kirkeberg Mørk (22), Drammen BK – continues from TAD
• Silje Theodorsen (30), Kvaløysletta IL – continues from TAD
• Gjøran Tefre (30), Førde IL – continues from TAD

What about Astrid Øyre Slind? She’s going all-in for the Olympics and turned down the national team to stay with Team Aker Dæhlie?

“Astrid will remain with Team Aker Dæhlie as in previous years.”

The 37-year-old from Oppdal turned down an offer to join the elite national team — for the third year in a row — choosing private support over the Association’s setup.

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

FACTS: Team Aker Dæhlie

• Who: Norwegian business tycoon Kjell Inge Røkke (Aker) and skiing legend Bjørn Dæhlie are behind this major initiative, with an initial investment of over NOK 60 million over four years.
• What: Team Aker Dæhlie was established in June 2022.
• Where: Based in Norway, but with an international scope. The team supports several international athletes, including the entire British national team, as well as athletes from Ireland, Latvia, Czech Republic, and the USA.
• Why: The team’s goal is to develop cross-country skiing further by uniting athletes from all skiing disciplines. By doing so, Team Aker Dæhlie aims to combine the best of long-distance skiing, traditional skiing, and para-skiing — and strengthen collaboration across these areas.
• How: Team Aker Dæhlie consists of athletes with different goals and ambitions, divided into several groups, but with flexibility to compete across them:
  • Long-distance
  • Traditional cross-country ski
  • Para
• Website: teamakerdahlie.com

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