June 08, 2012 (Sunne, Sweden) – Legendary cross-country ski coach Inge Braten passed away in April and on July 1st Sweden’s and Norway’s national cross-country teams will pay tribute to him at the Bråten memorial in Sunne. The roller ski competition had its premiere edition last summer and attracted more than 12,000 spectators.

This year fans can look forward to the duel between Marcus Hellner and Petter Northug. However, for Marcus Hellner it is equally important to honor the memory of Inge Bråten.

“This year I will also compete in honour if Inge Bråten. He meant a lot to me personally and for my development,” said Hellner.

Other Swedish national team skiers including Johan Olsson, Emil Joensson, Theodore Petterson, Anders Soedergren and others, along with their women’s national squad will be on the start line.

Organizers of the competition hope that some of Norway’s national team members will also be on the start line. “We hope that we will be able to solve the transportation of Petter Northug and his colleagues by a helicopter as they will be at that time at the training camp in Lillehammer,” explained Kjell-Erik Kristiansen.

It was Bråten who initiated the roller skiing competition in Sunnelast year, which was supported by the local municipality and 12,000 fans who showed up in downtown of Sunne creating an unforgettable atmosphere.