Scheduled to take place from August 2 to 5, this year’s edition of the Blink Festival has finalized its competitions program, offering events for cross-country and long-distance skiers, biathletes and activities for children and young people.

Since its inception in 2006, Blink has flourished into an enormous summer ski festival, solidifying its status as the largest worldwide. Each year, it attracts a star-studded international field that rivals the stature of a World Cup event. For many top-tier athletes, the Blink festival represents a meaningful opportunity to reunite and compete following the World Cup final in March. Impressively, last year’s edition saw the participation of representatives from 21 nations.

“Every year, the world’s elite in cross-country skiing and biathlon compete in Lysebotn, Ålgård, and Sandnes. Last year, BLINK brought together participants from 21 nations,” shared Arne Idland, speaking to Langrenn.com.

Idland further emphasizes that the traditional summer ski festival does not solely attract World Cup athletes. 

“In addition to being a well-known event for the elite, BLINK has also developed into an important meeting place for young cross-country skiers and biathletes from all over Norway. In addition, you can find talents from countries such as France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy, Andorra, the USA, and Canada on the starting line in the age-specific classes,” he added.

Registration for the competitions opened to elite/senior, junior, and age-specific classes in May, inviting athletes to seize their chance at glory in this celebrated summer ski event.

FACTS: BLINK 2023

• Who:  Cross-country skiers and biathletes at national and international levels, as well as junior classes and age-specific classes for younger athletes
• What:  Summer ski festival cross-country skiing, biathlon, and long-distance skiing, held for the first time in 2006
• Where:  Sandnes, Lysefjorden and Gjesdal, Norway
• When:  August 2 to 5, 2023 
• Organizers:  Norwegian Ski Association, Norwegian Biathlon Association, Sandnes municipality, and Axelar
• Website: www.blinkfestivalen.no

Program Blink 2023 (Preliminary program, changes may occur)

August 2, Wednesday:  BLINK Lysebotn Up, 7.5km uphill race, start in Lysefjorden

• 11:30: 1km and 2km girls and boys
• 12:15: 7.5km skating women senior, women junior
• 14:00: 7.5km double poling women and men senior
• 15:30: 7.5km skating men senior, men junior

August 3, Thursday:  BLINK Classics at Ålgård

• 18:45: Start BLINK Classics
• 20:45: Estimated finish BLINK Classics

August 4, Friday: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:30 – 14:20: Cross-country skiing and biathlon: competitions for age groups and juniors 
• 12:00-21:00: OBOS Kid Camp
• 14:30-15:15: Biathlon: Shooting elite
• 15:30-15:50: Cross-country skiing: Prologue women and men
• 15:55-16:50: Biathlon: Shooting duel women and men
• 17:10-18:25: Biathlon: Super sprint qualification elite women and men
• 18:25-18:55: Cross-country skiing: 10km mass start women
• 18:55-19:45: Biathlon: Super sprint final women and men
• 19:45-20: 25: Cross-country skiing: 15km mass start men
• 20:45: Prize-giving ceremony

August 5, Saturday: BLINK in Sandnes Sentrum 

• 7:40-14:20: Cross-country skiing and biathlon: competitions for age groups and juniors
• 12:00-21:00: OBOS Kid Camp
• 14:30-15:15: Biathlon: Shooting elite
• 15:20-15:40: Cross-country skiing: Prologue women and men
• 15:45-17:37: Biathlon: Quarter-finals start women and men
• 17:44-19:20: Cross-country skiing: Sprint quarter-finals and semifinals women and men
• 19:22-20:08: Biathlon: Semi-finals mass start women and men
• 20:10-20:23: Cross-country skiing: Finals sprint women and men
• 20:25-21:05: Biathlon: finals mass start women and men
• 21:25: Prize-giving ceremony 

All competitions are broadcast on NRK.