Fleten, who races for Team Ramudden, and Persson, representing Lager 157 Ski Team, are key athletes in their respective Ski Classics Pro Teams. Their relationship blossomed over the winter, and they’ve now taken the step of sharing a home in Östersund, Sweden.

“We connected during the winter season,” says Emil Persson, reflecting on how their relationship developed.

The 29-year-old Swede gained widespread recognition in 2023 after becoming the first Swedish skier in 11 years to win Vasaloppet. Later that day, Emilie Fleten secured her first Ski Classics victory by winning the women’s race, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Also Read: Emil Persson And Emilie Fleten Winners of Vasaloppet 2023

A Relationship Kept Under Wraps

For over a year, the couple kept their relationship private, with only close friends and family in the know. The news was first revealed during an episode of the podcast “Glidarna,” surprising hosts Robin Bryntesson and Roberto Vacchi.

“It’s absolutely crazy,” exclaimed Bryntesson during the podcast.

Now settled in Östersund, Fleten and Persson are fully focused on the upcoming Ski Classics season. Fleten will continue to compete for Team Ramudden, while Persson remains a key player for Lager 157 Ski Team. The Season XVI will kick off in mid-December with back-to-back races in Bad Gastein, Austria.

Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI

Parallel Success Stories

Fleten and Persson’s careers share striking similarities. In 2023, Fleten’s victory at Vasaloppet was her first in the Ski Classics Pro Tour series. Last season, she dominated by winning seven Pro Tour races, securing podium finishes in all of the stages, and clinching the overall series title with a margin of over 500 points.

Read More: Emilie Fleten becomes a Ski Classics Legend

Persson’s trajectory was nearly identical a year earlier, during Season XIV. He also won Vasaloppet and eight other races, finishing the season as the overall series champion with an impressive lead of nearly 800 points over his closest competitor, Andreas Nygaard.

Also Read: Emil Persson – A new legend

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