The Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet

The end of the season has arrived! The Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet, previously a Ski Classics Challengers event, is a unique skiing race starting and finishing at Mosetertoppen. The original 20km event, conceived by the renowned traditional cross-country skier and Pro Team athlete Petter Northug Jr., Team Janteloppet, brings together the world’s top skiers, young talents, enthusiasts, and recreational skiers, delivering fun, memorable moments, and competitive spirit in equal proportions.

The much-anticipated Ski Classics Grand Finale of Season XV is a unique shortened 93-kilometer long-distance lapping challenge that promises to deliver a riveting spectacle.

Grand Finale Concept

Ski Classics introduced the Grand Finale concept to conclude Season XV with unparalleled greatness. David Nilsson, Director of Ski Classics, shed light on this development:

“The Grand Finale concept aims to create an exciting and spectacular ending to the season. For Janteloppet, it involves a looping course with various sprints and other elements that transform the event into a captivating show rather than a traditional ski race,” Nilsson explains and added:

“The inspiration for this concept draws from the iconic finish on the Champs-Élysées in the Tour de France, adding a similar level of spectacle and grandeur.”

Who will win the last event of the season? Proxcskiing.com analyzed the top 4 men and women contenders for the victory.

Top Men Contenders for Janteloppet

This will be the first edition of Janteloppet as a Pro Tour event, so we need statistics about past performances. However, we can check how skiers have been performing over longer distances to assess who are the favorites for the win.

Andreas Nygaard

Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, is undeniably one of the favorites. The Norwegian legendary skier is one of the strongest athletes performing longer distances, with several Vasaloppet and even longer race victories under his belt. He has shown good form over the season, managing to win some races. Now, he might be positioned to win the first edition of Janteloppet as a Pro Tour event, becoming the winner of the longer-distance event of the season.

Johan Hoel

Johan Hoel’s performance has been rising during the season. Despite a good start, he seems to be getting even better, and he finally managed to get his first victory last week at Reistadløpet, becoming the first skier to win the race using the double-poling technique.

The Team Ragde Charge skier is currently leading the Yellow bib competition, and he wants to take the victory to end the season in the best way possible: with another win and the final Yellow bib.

“I think winning the Yellow bib is the biggest achievement in Ski Classics. I only have to finish the race on Saturday; I think I will manage to do the whole 100 kilometers,” says Johan with a smile on his face, showing that he is proud of his achievement.

Torleif Syrstad

Torleif Syrstad, Lager 157 Ski Team, achieved a fantastic feat this season. He won Vasaloppet without any competition. Will he manage to repeat the feat this Saturday? Despite not racing in all the events this season, he seems to be in great shape, capable of focusing his training on specific goals and races. Torleif might surprise his competition with another top performance.

Eirik Sverdrup Augdal

Eirik Sverdrup Augdal, Team Eksjöhus, has surprised everyone with his victory at the Norwegian National Championships. Given his results last week, he also seems to be in great shape now, reaching the podium in both Reistadløpet and Summit 2 Senja. We will see if the ascending phase of this Norwegian skier will continue this Saturday, managing to get his first victory at the Pro Tour.

Top Women Contenders for Janteloppet

As the women’s Janteloppet draws near, we check the women’s current performances to assess who the favorite contenders are for victory in the Ski Classics Grand Finale.

Emilie Fleten

“I’m feeling tired but excited to race the 100 kilometers and finish the season,” says Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, at the beginning of the Live Sessions earlier this week. The Norwegian skier leading the Yellow bib competition is curious about the new race but also looking forward to finishing and enjoying her achievements during the season.

“Going to the podium in the last race will be cool. I am aiming for the win. I think the course and the distance suit me well,” says Emilie. If Fleten reaches the podium, it will mean she has reached it in every race of the season.

Magni Smedås

Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, is also having a great phase. She has just won Summit 2 Senja, and despite feeling tired, she is looking forward to the next event. “I have never raced 100 kilometers before, but I am really excited to see how this goes,” she says during the live sessions.

Magni has just become a “Legend,” giving her even more motivation. “I feel stronger, and this is a confirmation of that.”

Astrid Øyre Slind

Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, has had a remarkable comeback to Ski Classics, with a victory at Reistadløpet and 2nd place at Summit 2 Senja. The Norwegian skier, who now also focuses on World Cup racing, is one of the strongest women in the world of cross-country skiing nowadays, so she is a strong contender in every race she starts.

Kati Roivas

Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, has been the surprise of the season. The Finnish skier is currently ranked 2nd in the Yellow bib competition, and she has conquered some impressive results, such as 3rd at Marcialonga, 3rd at Birkebeinerrennet, and 3rd at Vasaloppet.

Kati Roivas seems to be performing especially well over longer distances, so this last race of the season might be her chance to finally reach the top of the podium in a Pro Tour event.

The Grand Finale of Season XV

In conclusion, the Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet promises to be an exhilarating event, marking the culmination of Season XV with its unique long challenge. With top contenders like Andreas Nygaard and Emilie Fleten, among others, the race is set to deliver thrilling performances and intense competition. As the anticipation builds, all eyes are on who will emerge victorious in this prestigious event, capping off the season in grand style.

Janteloppet – Course Map & Profile

Janteloppet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 15

• Date: April 13, 2024
• Distance: 93km Classic Technique
• Place: Mosetertoppen, Norway
• Start Time: Men 8:00 CET / Women 8:05 CET
• Website: Janteloppet  
• Live Center: Janteloppet 
• SC Play: Janteloppet 

More information about Janteloppet can be found HERE and HERE

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is Janteloppet on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The 93-kilometer long-distance skiing race in classic technique marks the 15th and final Ski Classics event, Season XV.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 93km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com