Where did Norway’s skiing sensation go? Instead of the main goal of the season, the trip takes Therese Johaug to the wedding | Sport

The overall contribution of Norwegian female skiers has been disappointing so far. Tiril Udnes Weng, who skied sensationally last season, has not competed yet.

When Therese Johaug ended her illustrious career in the spring of 2022, the Norwegian women’s cross country team was expected to be in some kind of crisis in the future. Sprint Cannon Kristine Stavås Skistadia except that there were no new Norwegian promises in sight.

Last season, however, new responsibilities rose to the top. Twin sisters Tiril Udnes Weng and Lotta Udnes Weng mixed Anne Kjersti Kålva shone from the beginning. In the Val di Fiemme sprint, the siblings celebrated a double victory led by Lota.

Tiril Udnes became the sensation of the season by taking the overall victory of the World Cup to everyone’s surprise. He won one race and finished in the top three nine times.

The change from before was drastic, because before last season he had reached 13th place at best in the overall points and collected only one individual podium place.

At the World Championships in Planica, he celebrated the relay victory Kålvan, Ingvild Flugstad Östberg mixed Astrid Öyre Slindin with.

While the Norwegian men have continued their dominant run, the Norwegian women’s overall contribution this season has been disappointing so far.

On the eve of the opening of the World Cup, the Norwegian team was hit by the corona virus, which has contributed to the composition of the women’s team.

Tiril Udnes Weng, an experienced Östberg and considered a tough talent for several years Helene Marie Fossesholm have not competed in this World Cup season yet.

Kålva, on the other hand, has fallen far short of last season’s pace. He skied last winter’s Planica World Ski Championships to silver in the 30 km traditional co-start race. In the free pair sprint, he and Tiril won silver.

The team’s number one name has shone after several setbacks, strongly returning to the top, experienced Heidi Wengwho has now reached the podium twice.

At Johaug’s wedding

Especially the situation of Tiril Udnes Weng, who excelled last season, arouses a lot of interest in the cross-country community. Weng, who has been struggling with persistent symptoms of the coronavirus, is not participating in the Tour de Ski at the turn of the year.

Last year, he was Sweden’s third overall in the Tour Frida Karlsson mixed Kerttu Niskanen after. Those who participated in the top fight Krista Pärmäkoski and Kålva had to stop the tour in the final stages.

Weng fell ill with the corona virus in mid-November. NRK’s according to the woman fell ill again shortly after this.

– He called me one day last week saying that “I’ve accomplished so much that I took a shower”. It was four in the afternoon, Lotta Weng describes her sister’s weak coping.

So Tiril Udnes does not feel that he is in good enough shape for the tough Tour de Ski tour. However, the Norwegian is not an empty pawn at the turn of the year.

He spends New Year’s Eve at his friend Therese Johaug’s wedding.

– I really wanted to ski hard at the Tour de Ski. That was the main goal this season. However, I have had to adjust my goals a bit and think that there are still races left this season, Weng is confident.