The Pink Youth bib is given to the best female and male athletes aged 26 or below. The athletes’ age is determined by the year when the Ski Classics final of the season takes place. Points in the Champion competition are used. The athlete’s single best result from a Ski Classics Challengers event is included.  

Marcialonga saw the Pink bib in the Youth Competition resting on the shoulders of Axel Jutterström, Team Eksjöhus. Who are the favorites for the Youth overall competition Season XV on the men’s side? 

Read More: Ski Classics Standings after Marcialonga 2024

Youth Men Favorites – Ski Classics Season XV – After Marcialonga

After Marcialonga, Axel Jutterström, Team Eksjöhus, leads the Youth bib competition with 801 points. Thomas Ødegaarden, also from Team Eksjöhus, is in second place with 712 points, followed by Amund Riege, Team Ramudden, in third place for the Pink bib with 644 points.

The Youth competition on the men’s side is intense this winter. Axel Jutterström, Thomas Ødegaarden, and Amund Riege are the three biggest favorites in a fierce battle for the pink jersey. 

Axel is currently 3rd place overall in the Champion competition and was always better than 8th place on this season’s Pro Tour events. During Season XV, he was 5th at Bad Gastein Criterium, 4th place at La Venosta Criterium, 2nd at La Venosta ITT, 5th at 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, 7th place at Engadin La Diagonela and 8th position at Marcialonga. 

Thomas’ positions were 29th at Bad Gastein Criterium, 5th at La Venosta Criterium, 3rd at La Venosta ITT, 10th at 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, 3rd at Engadin La Diagonela, and 4th at Marcialonga. 

Riege is showing some solid performances. He was in 2nd place at Bad Gastein Criterium, 9th at La Venosta Criterium, 13th at La Venosta ITT, 15th at 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, 11th at Engadin La Diagonela, and 14th at Marcialonga.

These three Pro Tour skiers have had a solid performance throughout the season, and it’s difficult to predict the winner in the Youth competition. A lot can happen during the second part of the season, but in general, Jutterström and Ødegaarden have some advantage, with Riege a little behind.  

Some names of Pro Team athletes who can get enough points to be in the top 3 at the Youth bib after the season are also worth mentioning. As outsiders, we can mention Herman Paus, Team Ramudden, Jeremy Royer, Team Nordic Expérience, and the new Junior World Champion, Alvar Myhlback, Lager 157 Ski Team.

Also Read: Brilliant win for Alvar Myhlback at the Planica Junior World Championships

Youth Bib Favorites Men – Ski Classics Season XV

Axel Jutterström

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 14.11.1998
• Pro Team: Team Eksjöhus
• Youth Competition: 801 points
• Likelihood to win: 4 out of 5

Thomas Ødegaarden

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 14.12.1998
• Pro Team: Team Eksjöhus
• Youth Competition: 712 points
• Likelihood to win: 4 out of 5

Amund Riege

• Nationality: Norway 
• Date of Birth: 21.10.2000
• Pro Team: Team Ramudden
• Youth Competition: 644 points
• Likelihood to win: 3 out of 5

Herman Paus

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 21.08.2000
• Pro Team: Team Ramudden
• Youth Competition: 449 points
• Likelihood to win: 2 out of 5

Jeremy Royer

• Nationality: France
• Date of Birth: 09.02.1999
• Pro Team: Team Nordic Expérience
• Youth Competition: 329 points
• Likelihood to win: Dark horse

Alvar Myhlback

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 22.03.2006
• Pro Team: Lager 157 Ski Team
• Youth Competition: 307 points
• Likelihood to win: Dark horse

Top 10 Youth Competition after Marcialonga

Next are Grönklitt Classic on Saturday, February 17, and Grönklitt ITT on Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Pro Tour events mark the ninth and tenth Ski Classics Pro Tour stages of 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