The 50km long-distance Reistadløpet starts in Setermoen, in the municipality of Bardu in Norway, and goes through arctic landscapes and mountain tops before reaching the finish line in Bardufoss in the municipality of Målselv.

Read More: All you need to know ahead of Reistadløpet and Summit 2 Senja Season XV

So far, no one has won the race by only double poling, as most skiers use diagonal striding and kick wax. The course has challenging climbs to the mountains, but the scenery is breathtaking.

As we get closer to the starting line of Reistadløpet, there is growing anticipation, and the world elite will be present to fight for the podium. This article introduces you to the favorite contenders for the victory, offering a glimpse into their recent performances and preparations.

Also Read: World Elite will meet this weekend in Norway

MEN CONTENDERS FOR REISTADLØPET 2024

As the Reistadløpet approaches, a blend of defending champions, emerging talents, and seasoned skiers are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling race. Each athlete brings a formidable mix of skill, endurance, and sheer willpower.

This race has never been won using only the double-poling technique, so seeing how traditional skiers fight against Pro Team athletes on this challenging terrain will be interesting.

Let’s meet some of the favorites expected to shine at this special event.

The Defending Champion: Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget

Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget is one of several traditional cross-country skiing stars making their long-distance season debut in the final part of Ski Classics Season XV.

Nyenget is not only ready for his first Ski Classics race of the season, but he is also the defending champion in both the Reistadløpet and Summit 2 Senja. On Saturday, he aims for his third consecutive victory in the race known as one of the most demanding on the Ski Classics calendar.

Nyenget is defending the colors of the Swedish Pro Team, Team Eksjöhus, this year. However, the 32-year-old, who finished third in the 50km race in Holmenkollen, must expect solid competition from the national team and elite skiers and Pro Team athletes this year. 

The Rising Star: Eirik Sverdrup Augdal

Eirik Sverdrup Augdal is among the strongest challengers.

The 28-year-old defeated Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in the Norwegian Championships 50km race in Lillehammer the weekend before Easter and finished fourth at Birkebeinerrennet. Augdal also finished second at Reistadløpet last year, his debut in Ski Classics. 

The Norwegian skier has been showing impressive form, especially in hilly terrains, since he joined Team Eksjöhus, setting some ambitious goals at the beginning of the season:

“I want to join and fight for victory in the races I start. I want to see progress and results quickly. At the same time, I respect those at Ski Classics; they are well-trained,” said Augdal in an earlier interview.

Traditional Cross-Country Skiing Veteran: Andrew Musgrave

Andrew Musgrave, Team Aker Dæhlie, finished Reistadløpet in third place last year, and that is not surprising since this course is favorable for traditional cross-country skiers. The British athlete has not yet competed in Ski Classics events this season; however, he had a good World Cup season and finished 10th in the 50km race in the Norwegian Championships.

Due to his long-distance and traditional skiing skills, he might be well suited to win this year’s Reistadløpet edition.

Massive Firepower: Johan Hoel

If a long-distance skier is capable of beating the World Cup guys, that’s probably Johan Hoel. The Norwegian skier is leading the Climb competition and ranked second in the Champion competition, only one point behind his Team Ragde Charge mate Kasper Stadaas. After two second places in important races like Birkebeinerrennet and Vasaloppet, Hoel seems to be in good shape to fight for the victory. 

Moreover, he has traditionally been good in hilly terrains and is fighting for the Yellow bib. “The goal is trying to win Reistadløpet without kick wax,” he said during the Live Sessions ahead of the weekend.

FIERCE FIGHT FOR THE YELLOW BIB

A decisive weekend awaits the Pro Team athletes, and on the men’s side, there’s a fierce fight for the Yellow Champion with just one point difference between Kasper Stadaas and Johal Hoel, both from Team Ragde Charge.

Third place overall Andreas Nygaard, skiing for the same Pro Team, adds a little spice to the fight, even though Nygaard is somewhat behind in the standings, 253 points behind the leader Stadaas.

Also Read: Champion bib favorites for Season XV

Kasper Stadås made a big impression during the first half of Season XV, with four wins and two second-place finishes. However, he struggled at Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet, finishing 17th and 19th, respectively.

For Johan Hoel, it was the opposite. In the last six Pro Tour events, he has been second three times, third twice, and fifth once. This consistency has allowed him to reduce the difference on Stadaas, and now is just one point behind the leader:

“I’m excited about going back to Bardufoss and Finnsnes and doing these races. I’m nervous about the fight with Kasper, and of course, the winner of the Yellow bib must be on the starting line of every race that is coming up,” says Hoel.

Read More: Fierce fight for the Yellow bib

The article continues below.

WOMEN CONTENDERS FOR REISTADLØPET 2024

On the women’s side, several skiers from the World Cup will measure their strength against the long-distance Pro Team athletes. 

As the women’s Reistadløpet draws near, the tracks between Setermoen and Bardufoss are set to witness an assembly of athletes fighting for the victory, all sharpening their skis for a tight competition race. Let’s unveil the favorite women for the victory at Reistadløpet 2024.

The Defending Champion: Astrid Øyre Slind

Astrid Øyre Slind, focusing mainly on traditional cross-country skiing this winter, won both races in Tromsø last year and is considered a favorite. But for her, this weekend’s long-distance races will be the first in Ski Classics since Marcialonga in January, where she had to withdraw. The weekend before Easter, Øyre Slind won bronze in the 30km race at the Norwegian Championships, 19 seconds behind Magni Smedås from Team Eksjöhus. 

“Reistadløpet has normally been one of my best races, and doing two races back-to-back in one weekend is something I’m completely comfortable with,” says Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, ahead of this weekend’s events. 

On the Rise: Magni Smedås

Smedås, who finished fourth in Reistadløpet and Summit 2 Senja last year, has shown excellent form in the second half of the season and is one of the favorites for victory this year. Magni also finished 3rd in the 30km race during the Norwegian Championships, showing how strong she is now.

“I love striding, and I am really looking forward to Saturday. It will be nice to go with kick wax,” Magni said during the Live Sessions earlier this week. “I feel good. My body is responsive to training.”

Consolidating the Champion title: Emilie Fleten

Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, is leading the Champion competition, and she has already shown how strong she is in every type of terrain. Last year, Emilie finished in third place, and this season, she is having a better performance, so it is safe to say that she might win the race.

Emilie feels reloaded after the Easter break and is ready to race again. However, she acknowledges that she will struggle. “I will struggle on the first hill. I will use kick wax this year, but I will decide in the morning,” she said during the Live Sessions.

The Finnish Hope: Kati Roivas

Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, is currently ranked as the second skier in the Champion competition. Like Emilie Fleten, the Finnish Pro Team athlete is having the best season of her life. She is not expecting to reach the Yellow bib, but she hopes to have a good weekend.

“I don’t think that is realistic (Yellow bib), but I hope my body is recovered and I can have some good races next weekend,” she said earlier this week.

Looking Ahead

The anticipation for Reistadløpet 2024 is palpable as top contenders gear up to tackle one of Ski Classics’ most demanding courses. The men’s race promises intense competition, with defending champion Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget aiming for a historic third consecutive victory alongside rising stars like Eirik Sverdrup Augdal and Andrew Musgrave. Johan Hoel emerges as a powerhouse, poised to challenge the traditional cross-country skiers. 

On the women’s side, Astrid Øyre Slind and Magni Smedås lead the charge, with Emilie Fleten and Kati Roivas ready to make their mark. 

As the tracks between Setermoen and Bardufoss await, fans eagerly await the thrilling battles unfolding in this celebrated long-distance skiing event.

Reistadløpet – Video Highlights Season XIV

Ski Classics Season XV

Ski Classics continues with Season XV in another double Pro Tour event over the weekend. Reistadløpet on Saturday, April 6, and Summit 2 Senja on Sunday, April 7, mark the 13th and 14th stages of Season XV.

Reistadløpet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 13

• Date: April 6, 2024
• Distance: 50km Classic Technique
• Place: Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway
• Start Time: Women 10:00 CET / Men 10:30 CET
• Website: Reistadløpet  
• Live Center: Reistadløpet
• SC Play: Reistadløpet 

More information about Reistadløpet 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 Reistadløpet on April 6 and Summit 2 Senja on April 7. The events mark the 13th and 14th Ski Classics stages of Ski Classics 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, 100km

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