The Norwegian cross-country skier became the name of last winter when she made the Norwegian World Cup team from the start of the season and then went on to the World Championships in Planica. There, Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, won two medals at age 35 while also competing in long-distance skiing at Ski Classics. 

The season was a great success, and Øyre Slind decided to give both the World Cup and the 2025 World Championships on home soil a chance. In the run-up to the season, Øyre Slind has therefore prioritized both skating and diagonal striding. 

The upcoming winter season is largely decided on this weekend’s Norwegian season premiere at Beitostølen. 

“The results there will be crucial for the project,” says Øyre Slind and adds:

“If I’m going to the World Cup, I want to be right up there fighting. And if I’m not there, at the level I was at last year, then I’ll go straight to long-distance skiing and try to be good there,” Øyre Slind tells NRK. 

“I’m too old to be a regular skier,” the 35-year-old states. 

The season premiere at Beitostølen will be held from Friday, November 17, to Sunday, November 19. The program includes a sprint on Friday, a 10km classic on Saturday, and a 10km freestyle on Sunday, both with individual starts. Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, is registered for both distance races. 

See facts and details about the Beitostølen premiere below. 

Groundbreaking

At the World Championships in Planica, Astrid Øyre Slind took bronze in the skiathlon, contributed to Norwegian gold in the World Cup relay, and finished tenth in the 30km race. 

Only Anne Kjersti Kalvå from the elite national team topped that haul: She also took two World Cup medals, but in addition to the relay gold, Kalvå took silver in the 30km race. 

However, the day after the 30km race, Øyre Slind finished fifth at Vasaloppet, inspiring both traditional and long-distance skiers. 

In addition to her World Championships efforts, two podium finishes, and several top-10 finishes in the World Cup, including the Tour de Ski, Øyre Slind won five Ski Classics Pro Tour events. 

Now, she is evaluating the double effort. Whatever she ends up doing, Øyre Slind has raised the bar for what’s possible.  

Also Read: “Astrid has paved the way for everything to be possible.”

FACTS: Beitostølen Premiere 

Who: Senior men and women with low FIS points
What: Classic sprint, 10km classic, and 10km freestyle (both with individual starts)
Where: Beitostølen, Norway
When: November 17 to 19, 2023

Events Program

Friday, November 17 

11:40 CET – 1.3km Sprint Quali C, Women
12:07 CET – 1.3km Sprint Quali C, Men
13:15 CET – 1.3km Sprint Final, Women
13:40 CET – 1.3km Sprint Final, Men 

More information can be found HERE.

Saturday, November 18

9:45 CET – 10km Interval C, Women
11:15 CET – 10km Interval C, Men

More information can be found HERE.

Sunday, November 19 

11:30 CET – 10km Interval F, Women
12:55 CET – 10km Interval F, Men

More information can be found HERE.