Sandnes, Norway – Down on the south coast of Norway, the highlight of the yearly nordic skiing calendar comes in August. That’s when the Blink Festival plucks the best skiers in the world out of their solitary pursuit of podiums next winter, for a chance at one in the heat of the summer. It’s a highlight and a cap on an offseason of training, and a whole lot of fun too.

Joining in this year, among athletes from across Europe, were some Americans. Specifically, a group of American Juniors on a US Ski Team Development trip, sponsored by NNF. Among them were some of the country’s exceptionally talented juniors – gathered from across the country for a chance to race together on the world stage. They hopped in with the Blink Festival when it came to downtown Sandnes for a sprint day, just days after another American, Sophia Laukli, had made waves at the festival by taking her second podium spot in two tries on the famous Lysebottn Opp. They came inspired, and with cameras at the ready too. Check out all the action, documented for us kindly by Dartmouth College/Mansfield Nordic’s Ava Thurston:

Results

Blink Festival Junior Sprints:

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