The Ski Classics season kicked off in spectacular fashion in Sportgastein with the traditional Pro Team Tempo, and Team Ramudden delivered a performance that underlined their ambitions for the winter ahead. As a proud sponsor together with SNOOW ski wax, we were on site to follow the team closely — from the very first glide tests in the early morning to a well‑deserved podium celebration.
Early Morning: Precision Before Sunrise
Race day started early. At 05:45, the team left the hotel and headed up the winding road to Sportgastein. As soon as they arrived, testing began. Glide tests were carried out immediately, with the focus on finding the optimal glide wax and ski structure for the day’s conditions.
With compact tracks and cold, stable snow, the choice of preparation was crucial. Thanks to systematic testing and close cooperation between athletes, service team, and SNOOW ski wax, Team Ramudden lined up with confidence that their skis were perfectly prepared for the task ahead.
The Start: Full Commitment from the First Meter
The Pro Team Tempo began with the men starting first, followed shortly after by the women. From the opening meters, Team Ramudden showed strong intent, setting a high pace and staying in close contact with the very best teams in the field.
Team Ramudden athletes:
- Emilie Fleten (NOR)
- Hjalle Oscarsson (SWE)
- Herman Paus (NOR)
- Truls Gisselman (SWE)
- Magnus Vesterheim (NOR)
- Anton Persson (SWE)
- Julie Kvale Støstad (NOR)
- Alfred Buskqvist (SWE)
- Thomas Joly (FRA)
- Tova Andersson (SWE) - Not participating
How the Race Developed
The race covered 7 km, with two men and two women required to finish. The team result was calculated by the second man and second woman crossing the finish line — a format that places equal importance on both depth and balance within the team.
At the highest point of the course, around 5 km, Team Ramudden was only 14 seconds behind the leading Team Engcon. At the same time, Team Ramudden and Team Eksjö Hus were separated by just three seconds, setting up an exciting battle for the podium.
Team Eksjö Hus had the advantage of starting later in the field, allowing them to pace directly against Team Ramudden’s intermediate times in the final part of the course. Despite this tactical challenge, Team Ramudden maintained strong speed all the way to the finish.
Fighting to the Line
In the final kilometers,
Anton Persson (SWE) and Thomas Joly (FRA) took responsibility at the front, driving the pace and keeping the pressure on the competitors. The team’s cohesion and commitment were clearly visible as they pushed together towards the finish.
Strong Finish and Happy Faces
After crossing the line, the atmosphere in the finish area said it all. Julie Kvale Støstad (NOR) and Emilie Fleten (NOR) walked through the finish zone with skis in hand and smiles on their faces — a strong start to the season and an important contribution to the team result.
Photo 5 – Skis and equipment in the finish area
Behind every result is meticulous preparation. The skis and equipment in the finish area told the story of a job well done, where preparation, material choice, and execution came together perfectly.
Podium Result: Third Place in the Season Opener
Team Ramudden finished the Pro Team Tempo in 3rd place, stopping the clock at +45.1 seconds behind the winners Team Engcon, securing a well‑deserved podium position in the very first event of the Ski Classics season.
On the podium:
- Emilie Fleten (NOR)
- Hjalle Oscarsson (SWE)
- Herman Paus (NOR)
- Truls Gisselman (SWE)
- Magnus Vesterheim (NOR)
- Anton Persson (SWE)
- Julie Kvale Støstad (NOR)
- Alfred Buskqvist (SWE)
- Thomas Joly (FRA)
- Lina Korsgren (SWE) – Coach
Team members not in the photo:
- Gustaf Korsgren (SWE)
- Luca Angelini (ITA)
- Gabbe Hallqvist (SWE)
- Mathias Elg (SWE)
- Tova Andersson (SWE)
| Rank | Team | Combined Time |
| 1️⃣ | TEAM ENGCON | 31:42.9 |
| 2️⃣ | TEAM EKSJÖHUS | +29.7 |
| 3️⃣ | TEAM RAMUDDEN | +45.1 |
A Clear Statement for the Winter Ahead
With this performance, Team Ramudden showed that they will be a strong contender in the Ski Classics series this winter. Solid teamwork, excellent ski preparation with SNOOW ski wax, and strong individual performances resulted in a podium finish right from the start.
Tomorrow, the Ski Classics continue with the first individual race of the season. Conditions could hardly be better, with compact tracks and temperatures expected between -5 and 0°C.
More stories to come.
