Team Kaffebryggeriet expands: Adds three new skiers and merges with Team Driv
For the upcoming season, the Ski Classics Pro Team, Team Kaffebryggeriet, is expanding its efforts on multiple levels. The well-established Pro Team is bringing in a new Pro Team Director and several strong skiers for the Pro Team. In addition, they are merging with the amateur team Team DRIV. As a result, the new name will now be Team Kaffebryggeriet Driv.
See the full team roster further down in the article
The goal of the merger is to enhance the training opportunities for amateur skiers, while the elite skiers of Team Kaffebryggeriet gain access to facilities such as a roller ski treadmill and training center, as well as an expanded support team with coaches and therapists from DRIV.
Underdogs with Big Ambitions
Matias Noren, a physiotherapist and coach at DRIV, has been part of the professional team’s support staff for several years. He now takes on the role of Pro Team Director for the upcoming season, with the aim for the team to compete for overall bibs this winter.
“We have big ambitions. We may be underdogs, but we are ready to make our mark among the big names this winter,” Noren told Langrenn.com.
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Dreaming of the Green Sprint Bib
In addition to individual victories throughout the season, the Pro Team is very eager to reclaim the Green Sprint bib. They have won it overall twice before: in 2022 and 2020, both times with Stian Berg.
Last winter, Simen Ramstad finished third overall in the race for the Green Sprint bib. Berg, who has two green bibs on his wall, retired before last season. The 30-year-old from Hamar Ski Club was forced to end his elite career after chasing the long-distance skiing dream for five years. Now, Berg is the head coach for Team Olympiaparken, the new talent program at NTG Lillehammer.
Also Read: Stian Berg ends career as a Pro Tour athlete
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Strengthening the Team
Ahead of the current season, the Norwegian Pro Team lost several key skiers. Magnus Vesterheim is now part of Team Aker Dæhlie, while Oda Nerdrum has joined the Italian Pro Team Team Robinson Trentino.
Read More: Norwegian skier joins Italian Pro Team
Now, they are strengthening the team for the upcoming winter.
On the women’s side, Team Kaffebryggeriet Driv is bringing in three new skiers: Maren Engeskaug Nielsen and Fanny Endresen are joining Kaffebryggeriet after a season with Petter Northug’s Pro Team. Additionally, Sandra Schützova from the Czech Republic is coming on board. Together with Swedish Olympic star Anna Haag, the Pro Team will have a very strong women’s lineup.
On the men’s side, there will be four skiers this season, compared to five last year.
The following skiers have been selected for Team Kaffebryggeriet Driv for 2024/2025:
Men
- Vetle Thyli
- Simen Ramstad
- Henrik Syverinsen
- Fredrik Helgestad
Women
- Anna Jönsson Haag
- Maren Engeskaug Nielsen
- Fanny Marie Møller Endresen
- Sandra Schützova
Several Teams with Dual Focus
Team Kaffebryggeriet Driv is not the only Pro Team expanding with a dual focus this season. Earlier this fall, Lager 157 Ski Team made a similar move. They are bringing in the Swedish Pro Team Exsitec, which will now function as a feeder team for the Swedish Pro Team.
Also Read: Lager 157 Ski Team announces collaboration with Exsitec Ski Team
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