Monday, Nov 6, 2023
Today’s Paper
Ten male skiers have reportedly been informed that they can expect to participate in the World Cup opener in Ruka at the end of November. These include Emil Iversen and Harald Østberg Amundsen, who were the overall winners of the Scandinavian Cup and the World Cup last winter, respectively, as well as Norwegian national team members Erik Valnes, Even Northug, Simen Hegstad Krüger, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Pål Golberg, Ansgar Evensen, Håvard Solås Taugbøl, and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.
Didrik Tønseth and Iver Tildheim Andersen are currently not on the list of confirmed skiers for Ruka.
According to VG, there are also a few open spots for the race weekend in Finland: two for the sprint, one for the 10-kilometer classic, and two for the 20-kilometer classic. Who will fill these spots will be decided during the Norwegian national season opener at Beitostølen from November 22 to 24.
Also Read: 2024/2025 cross-country skiing World Cup calendar
Jan Thomas Jenssen placed third in the freestyle race during last year’s season opener at Beitostølen and became a sensation after his victory in the 20-kilometer race at the World Cup opener in Ruka the following week. He was sent as a last-minute replacement for that race.
The 28-year-old from Hommelvik is not particularly surprised that he was not pre-selected this year.
“You have to prove yourself worthy. I’m somewhat against pre-selections, but the fact that they’re opening up for a spot and that they’re willing to see things with a fresh perspective this year is great,” Jenssen told VG, adding:
“It makes it a bit fairer for those of us not on the national team in terms of qualifying for the World Championships.”
Jenssen was left off the national team selection in April, despite his achievements: an individual win, a relay win, a third-place finish, and five additional top-10 finishes in the World Cup were not enough to earn him a spot on the Norwegian national team.
“I was furious at the time, but now I’m using it as inspiration to do everything right going forward so that I’m on the starting line at the World Championships,” Jenssen told Langrenn.com, adding:
“I’ve shown that I’m good enough to compete at the World Championships.”
Others challenging the Norwegian national team members for the final two spots include Gjøran Tefre, Henrik Dønnestad, and Mattis Stenshagen.
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