Swedish and Norwegian National Teams Nominated

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.

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

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