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 Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team. Now, who are the favorites for the Youth overall competition Season XV on the women’s side? 

Also Read: Ski Classics standings after Marcialonga 2024

Youth Women Favorites – Ski Classics Season XV – After Marcialonga

After Marcialonga, Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team, is leading the Youth bib competition with 726 points. Hanna Lodin, Team Engcon, is in second place with 631 points, followed by Julie Kvale Støstad, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, in third place for the Pink bib with 541 points.

The Youth competition on the women’s side is intense this winter. Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team; Hanna Lodin, Team Engcon; and Julie Kvale Støstad, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, are the three biggest favorites who are having a fierce battle for the pink jersey. 

Karolina is a solid top-10 skier with results close to or at the podium. During Season XV, she was 3rd at Bad Gastein Criterium, 10th place at La Venosta Criterium, 4th at La Venosta ITT, 9th at 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, 10th place at Engadin La Diagonela and 8th position at Marcialonga. 

Hanna’s positions were 9th at Bad Gastein Criterium, 8th at La Venosta Criterium, 7th at La Venosta ITT, 10th at 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, 8th at Engadin La Diagonela, and 13th at Marcialonga. 

Julie is showing good top-10 performances. She was in 17th place at Bad Gastein Criterium, 7th at La Venosta Criterium, 9th at La Venosta ITT, 11th at 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, 7th at Engadin La Diagonela, and 23rd 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. The development is high in the competition, and a lot can happen during the second part of the season, but in general, Hedenström and Lodin will have a slight upper hand here. 

Some names of up-and-coming Pro Tour 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 Tove Ericsson, Team Engcon, and Linnea Johansson, Lager 157 Ski Team. 

Youth Bib Favorites Women – Ski Classics Season XV

Karolina Hedenström

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 03.11.2000
• Pro Team: Lager 157 Ski Team
• Youth Competition: 726 points
• Likelihood to win: 4 out of 5

Hanna Lodin

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 03.07.1999
• Pro Team: Team Engcon
• Youth Competition: 631 points
• Likelihood to win: 3 out of 5

Julie Kvale Støstad

• Nationality: Norway
• Date of Birth: 10.07.1998
• Pro Team: Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso
• Youth Competition: 541 points
• Likelihood to win: 2 out of 5

Tove Ericsson

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 05.03.2003
• Pro Team: Team Engcon
• Youth Competition: 345 points
• Likelihood to win: Dark horse

Linnea Johansson

• Nationality: Sweden
• Date of Birth: 21.07.2001
• Pro Team: Lager 157 Ski Team
• Youth Competition: 324 points
• Likelihood to win: Dark horse

Top 10 Youth Women 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