Cross-country skiing: in Beitostølen, the Norwegians will be fighting to get to Ruka
Every year, the Norwegian cross-country skiing trials are held in Beitostølen (Norway) a week before the start of the World Cup season. During these opening races, several tickets are up for grabs for the first races of the international winter, with the battle particularly fierce among the boys.
This Wednesday morning, the Norwegian newspaper VG revealed the number of tickets up for grabs between 22 and 24 November: five.
- two for the 10 km classic: Paal Golberg, Erik Valnes, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget are pre-qualified
- one for the classic sprint: Even Northug, Haavard Solaas Taugboel, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, Ansgar Evensen and Erik Valnes are pre-qualified
- two for the 20 km skate mass-start: Simen Hegstad Krueger, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo and Paal Golberg are pre-qualified
In addition, Emil Iversen, as outgoing winner of the Scandinavian Cup, and Harald Oestberg Amundsen, winner of the big globe last winter, have their places guaranteed for the various races in Ruka (Finland), outside the Norwegian quota.
Simon Hegstad Krueger, the reigning world champion in the individual event (he skateboarded in Planica in 2023), is not guaranteed to take part in the Ruka event at the end of November. Didrik Toenseth and Iver Tildheim Andersen are not pre-qualified for any of the races and will have to prove their level in Beitostølen. The same goes for Jan Thomas Jenssen, title-holder in the Ruka mass-start skate, Gjoeran Tefre, Henrik Doennestad and Mattis Stenshagen.
