New partnership will establish a ground breaking model for Britain’s Cross Country and Para NOrdic athletes ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season

GB Snowsport are delighted to announce that the British Cross Country and Para Nordic World Cup teams will race as part of Team Aker Dæhlie this season, following the conclusion of a ground-breaking deal between GB Snowsport and Aker Dæhlie .

The agreement which helps protect the long-term future of Britain’s World Class Cross Country programme and provides support for the Para Nordic national squad, will see athletes from both the Olympic Cross-Country and Paralympic Para Nordic squads line up as GB Snowsport/Team Aker Dæhlie athletes throughout the season.

Team Aker Dæhlie , which launched last year with All-Round Traditional Cross Country, Para Nordic, and “Next Generation” teams, has stated ambitions to fight for overall victory in team competition and sprint, climbing and individual events across the Nordic season.

Jostein Vinjerui, GB Snowsport National Cross Country Coach, said:

“The partnership with Team Aker Dæhlie and the cooperation with Aker Solutions have given GB Snowsport the opportunity to have a sustainable set-up for the World Cup team in Cross Country skiing. After a tough summer and autumn with the loss of funding we are now able to look forward fully to the coming season. We will be doing our best to perform yet again at the highest levels, with the strongest British World Cup Cross-Country team in the nation’s history comprising both new and experiences athletes.”

James Clugnet, GB Snowsport Cross Country Athlete, said:

“I’m so excited to start working with Aker solutions and Team Aker Dæhlie. Bringing the values of a charity (the V foundation) into cross-country skiing is really revolutionary way of seeing sport. Helping athletes to reach their full potential regardless of where they are from or who they are is a vision I fully support.“

Knut Nystad, of Team Aker Daehli, said:

“Team Aker Dæhlie will spearhead a holistic approach, including athletic development, athlete health and career guidance. The team’s mission is to actively solve challenges related to the lack of equal opportunity to achieve within the sport of skiing. Our vision is to showcase ONE Team achieving together. To meet this goal, Team Aker Dæhlie has adopted three core values:  The team will lead the way in challenging the status quo and include, without regard for gender, age, disability, or nationality.“

Vicky Gosling, GB Snowsport CEO, said:

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity, made possible by Aker Solutions, to collaborate with Team Aker Dæhlie which will help remove barriers to success in skiing. We are passionate about creating an inclusive environment and providing athletes with the support and guidance necessary to achieve the best possible performance.

We are always keen to work with likeminded partners and look forward to partnering with Team Aker Dæhlie as ONE Team, focusing on performance beyond the realm of sport.