Swedish and Norwegian National Teams Nominated

FasterSkier · May 1, 2014

The Swedish National Team (Photo: FIS/Swedish Ski Association) http://www.fis-ski.com/cross-country/news-multimedia/news/article=swedish-national-team-for-the-world-cup-season-2014-2015.html — The Swedish National Team (Photo: FIS/Swedish Ski Association)

For all the international-racing junkies out there, the Swedish and Norwegian Ski Associations recently announced the nominations to their 2014/2015 national teams.

Sweden’s male and female teams both grew from eight to nine members apiece, according to the Swedish Ski Association, with the additions of Simon Persson, 22, and Jonna Sundling, 20, and to men’s and women’s A-teams, respectively.

Norway’s Cross-Country Committee nominated 25 athletes to its three national teams (women’s, men’s all-around, men’s sprint), according to Norges Skiforbundet. Kathrine Harsem, 25, and , 23, received the call up to the women’s elite team. On the men’s side, Simen Andreas Sveen, 25, and Didrik Tønseth, 22, are new to the all-around team, and Sondre Turvoll Fossli, 20, is the newest sprinter.

The women's 15 k skiathlon podium at U23 World Championships on Saturday, with Norwegian winner Martine Ek Hagen (c), her teammate and runner-up Ragnhild Haga (l), and Teresa Stadlober of Austria in third (r). (Photo: Fiemme2014) — Martine Ek Hagen (c) after winning the women’s 15 k skiathlon at U23 World Championships last season in Val di Fiemme, Italy, with teammate and runner-up Ragnhild Haga (l), and Teresa Stadlober of Austria, who placed third (r). (Photo: Fiemme2014)

No longer with the Norwegian national team, Vibeke Skofterud, Øystein Pettersen, Petter Eliassen, Niklas Dyrhaug and Tord Asle Gjerdalen are pursuing different paths and interests.

A 2010 Olympic gold medalist in the team sprint, Pettersen, 31, whose nickname is “The Sausage,” recently told NRK that he plans to focus on distance races while skiing for Team United Bakeries.

“In recent years I trained hard to break into sprints but it did not happen,” he said, according to a translation. “Then I lost faith in myself in the sprint and I cannot continue another season training for something I have lost confidence in.”

He explained that the Vasaloppet and 2015 World Championships will be his main focuses for next season.

According to FIS, a few Norwegians are switching specialties: Pål Golberg from sprint to all-around, Finn Hågen Krogh from all-around to sprint. Simen Østensen returns to the all-around team along with Chris Jespersen, who’s now back on the elite national team.

Sweden

A Team

Ladies

Sofia Bleckur, IFK Mora SK
Hanna Erikson, Åsarna IK
Anna Haag, IFK Mora SK
Ida Ingemarsdotter, Åsarna IK
Charlotte Kalla, Piteå Elit
Sara Lindborg, Falun-Borlänge SK
Stina Nilsson, IFK Mora SK
Jonna Sundling, IFK Umeå
Emma Wikén, Åsarna IK

Men

Calle Halfvarsson, Falun-Borlänge SK
Marcus Hellner, Gellivare Skidallians
Emil Jönsson, IFK Mora SK
Anton Lindblad, Sollefteå Skidor IF
Lars Nelson, Åsarna IK
Johan Olsson, Åsarna IK
Daniel Richardsson, Hudiksvalls IF
Simon Persson, IFK Umeå
Teodor Peterson, Åsarna IK

Team 2015

Ladies

Anna Dyvik, Falun-Borlänge SK
Hanna Falk, Ulricehamns IF
Sofia Henriksson, Strömnäs GIF
Magdalena Pajala, Piteå Elit
Evelina Settlin, Hudiksvalls IF
Marika Sundin, Sollefteå Skidor IF
Julia Svan, Vansbro AIK
Jennie Öberg, Piteå Elit

Men

Simon Andersson, Falun-Borlänge SK
Martin Bergström, Piteå Elit
Jens Burman, Åsarna IK
Martin Johansson, IFK Mora SK
Simon Lageson, Åsarna IK
Jesper Modin, Piteå Elit
Carl Quicklund, Östersunds SK
Marcus Ruus, Gillberga SK

The Norwegian National Team last season on the World Cup circuit. (Photo: FIS/Nordic Focus) http://www.fis-ski.com/cross-country/news-multimedia/news/article=norway-nominates-national-teams-for-2014.html — The Norwegian National Team last season on the World Cup circuit. (Photo: FIS/Nordic Focus)

Norway

National teams

Ladies

Celine Brun-Lie, Njård
Marit Bjørgen, Rognes IL
Maiken Caspersen Falla, Gjerdrum IL
Martine Ek Hagen, IL BUL
Kathrine Harsem, IL Varden
Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, IL Heming
Therese Johaug, IL Nansen
Marthe Kristoffersen, IL Varden
Kristin Størmer Steira, IL Forsøk
Heidi Weng, IL BUL
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, Gjøvik Skiklubb

Coaches: Egil Kristiansen and Roar Hjelmset

Men, all-around

Pål Golberg, Gol IL
Chris Jespersen, IL Korlevoll
Eldar Rønning, Skogn IL
Sjur Røthe, Voss IL
Simen Andreas Sveen, Ring IL
Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Røa IL
Didrik Tønseth, Byåsen IL
Simen Østensen, Fossum IF

Coaches: Trond Nystad og Steinar Mundal

Men, sprint

Eirik Brandsdal, Kjelsås IL
Sondre Turvoll Fossli, Hokksund IL
Anders Gløersen, Rustad IL
Ola Vigen Hattestad, Ørje IL
Finn Hågen Krogh, Tverrelvdal IL
Tomas Northug, Strindheim IL

Coach: Arild Monsen