Gunnhild Sundli to perform official song for 2025 Ski World Championship in Norway

Gunnhild Sundli will sing the official song for the 2025 Ski World Championship at the opening ceremony in February. The song, titled “For What We Love,” marks a departure from the traditional Norwegian folk music she usually performs with her band Gåte, as it is both a pop song and written in English. Initially, she had reservations about the idea of singing a World Championship anthem, thinking it might not suit her. However, upon hearing the song for the first time, she was moved to tears.

The song’s message centers around strength and community in the face of challenges. When Sundli was approached to perform it, her husband had recently suffered a stroke, which left her in a state of uncertainty and stress. She recalls feeling that the song was meant for her, offering hope amid personal turmoil.

Sundli, known for her upbeat demeanor, recently represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest with her band. She believes that the song encapsulates the deep emotions of joy, sorrow, and disappointment that often arise in sports, making it a fitting soundtrack for the Ski World Championship athletes who have worked hard to achieve their dreams.

The track was created during a songwriting camp in Trondheim, commissioned by the World Championship organizing committee. The songwriters, who aimed to craft something epic and unifying, expressed that it was somewhat ironic to create a World Championship song, especially since one of them jested about their lack of skiing skills. The anthem will be officially released on November 1, with its first performance set for October 31.