Ragne Wiklund
As a speed skater, my breakthrough season came during the first year of Covid in 2021, when I became world champion in the 1500m after a year of lockdown and extensive independent training. After two years of strict isolation rules in the World Cup, I rediscovered my childhood love for nature and adventure. Growing up in Oslo, right next to Nordmarka, I spent countless hours skiing and running orienteering with my family.
I began incorporating other physical activities in addition to cycling to my training, and I am of strong belief that this helped me win the overall World Cup the following year, as well as securing the world champion title in the 3000m. In 2023, I was honoured with the Egerbergs Ærespris for my results in both speed skating and Orienteering, and named Female Athlete of the Year at the Norwegian Sports Gala.
Alongside my athletic career, I have been studying environmental physics at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), and I am currently pursuing a masters degree in data science. My passion for the environment and sustainability is reflected through my academic choices and lifestyle.
My interest in photography began in 2022, after a spontaneous investment in a FujiFilm camera. I remember sitting on the plane home from the Netherlands, after climbing onto the overall podium finish in the World Cup, and my first ever income of significance. Kristian, who already owned a FujiFilm, told me that his only regret was not buying one sooner, and before the plane landed in Norway, I had secured myself a used FujiFIlm X100V. Since that day I have not left home without it.
Kristian Gamme Ulekleiv
My journey in speed skating started later than most athletes. It wasn't until after high school I started dedicating my life to speed skating. Despite the late start, I quickly started to perform well at senior level achieving a breakthrough performance in the 2019 national championships, where I secured a third place behind my two biggest idols. Since then, I have competed regularly in the World Cup circuit, and competed in both the world championships and the olympics, with a 6th place as best my best result.
In 2022 I began studying renewable energy at NTNU in Norway. I have always spent a lot of time in nature, and I like solving problems. Hopefully I can solve some important ones in the years to come!
I am known for my intense dedication of my interests, and I often become deeply invested in whatever captures my attention. My interests can become somewhat of an obsession, and I try my best to balance it with friends, school and speed skating. Fishing, coffee, photography, and general outdoor activities has been a big part of my life the recent years, and I wish to keep doing more in the years to come.
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