Norway’s Heidi Weng’s last season was almost completely ruined by her recovery. However, recent months have shown that the former world champion is returning to top form.
Last March by Heidi Weng leaving the Games in the middle of Planica’s World Cup skiing raised question marks about the Norwegian skier’s situation. Weng, 32, briefly said at the time that the reason was due to health problems.
The Olympic bronze medalist, five-time world champion and two-time Tour de Ski winner was badly injured in March 2022. Weng fell on the ice and hit his head hard. Weng has been open about how the concussion has affected him both mentally and physically.
Weng admits the Norwegian media For Nettavisen that he suffered from “hellish pains” due to headaches.
– The pain was so bad that it was difficult to think positively.
The successful skier was completely out of the game for a while, until at the end of 2022 he returned to the World Cup competition tracks in Ruka.
However, last season was mostly ruined by an accident, although Weng managed to reach the podium in two World Cup individual races.
Everyday life has also been difficult for Weng. It has not been possible to drive long distances by car and constant headaches have hindered the skiing star’s everyday life.
Weng still hasn’t fully recovered from his accident, but he has come to terms with it.
– I have practiced to understand more what triggers a headache, and I also believe that I accept it more. Of course, it is also due to the fact that there is less pain.
Norwegian media in the summer in an interview with NRK Weng spoke about his desire to return to the top.
– I have decided that I just have to try to do my best. Sometimes it (working out) is very difficult and sometimes not.
– I don’t have time to just train for another year.
The Norwegian media reported on Weng’s current situation this week. NRK tellsthat Weng’s worst days are behind us for now.
Coach of the Norwegian cross country team Sjur Ole Svarstad says that Weng is completely different now than three months ago.
– I even have to slow him down a bit.
There are many good days
Weng says that after the main stroke, he has had to practice the basics of life again.
Social interactions were difficult at first and driving a car was one of the things Weng had to relearn. Especially driving was uncomfortable at first – it brought a headache.
– Suddenly I could drive the car for 20 minutes without noticing anything and I thought: “Wow, this was a good day”. It feels very nice.
Weng also says that he woke up without headaches, which he found surprising. At the same time, however, Weng has had to lie in a horizontal position for a couple of hours every day because of his position.
He says that the most important thing is that he feels well. The Olympic medalist says he prioritizes things and takes breaks in everyday life.
However, there were also flashes of light last season. At the end of last season in Italy, the 32-year-old Norwegian reached the highest podium in the women’s relay of the World Cup.
In addition, the skier’s sister had a baby in January and thus Weng became an aunt. He says that it also helped him get through last season.
– My sister lives a hundred meters away and I go there almost every day.
Weng says he has recently been able to participate in increasingly tough workouts.
– I travel to events a day ahead of time so that I can avoid traveling and social situations on the same day.
Now Weng has expressed her desire to return to the top and break the Swedish dominance on the women’s ski slopes.