Latest: Martin Uldal will replace Johannes Dale-Skjevdal when the World Cup moves to Hochfilzen.this is confirmed by the Norwegian Biathlon Federation.
– I feel frustrated and empty. Then I probably get angry, before I hope to find a bit of motivation again, said Dale-Skjevdal to TV 2 on Sunday.
The 27-year-old was very down after finishing the mass start in Kontiolahti.
After finishing 63rd (!) in the first individual World Cup race of the season, he was one of three Norwegians who received a clear message from TV 2 expert Ole Einar Bjørndalen.
– They need to step up!
Bjørndalen’s clear message was not followed up in the way the expert had hoped.
The previous seasonS third overall in the World Cup finished 23rd and 21st in the next two races.
EARLY CHRISTMAS BREAK: Johannes Dale-skjevdal did not believe that he would not participate in the next World Cup races. He was right about that. Photo: Erik Monrad-Hansen / TV 2
– Sports is brutal
– Eventually, you will go from seven athletes to six. Have you gotten the green light to go to Hochfilzen (the next destination in the World cup)?
– No, I haven’t. I’m not selecting any team, but it’s not fun for me to compete when it’s like this. There are also some really good performances in the IBU cup, so it looks like it might potentially be an early Christmas vacation for me, said Dale-Skjevdal after Sunday’s disappointment.
– Sports is brutal. It can be a lot of fun when things are going well, but it’s not very motivating when things are going poorly. We’ll see what the future brings, says Dale-Skjevdal.
To TV 2, he proposes a possible plan to get back on track.
– Maybe I shoudl take a page from Iver Tildheim Andersen and go home and drink ten beers with him!
The cross-country skier Tildheim Andersen had indeed proposed the plan to go home and drink ten beers after feeling very disappointed finishing eighth in the national opening at Beitostølen and, as an inevitable result, not qualifying for the World Cup opener.
<img class="image__img lazyload" itemprop="image" title="Photo: Jan-Petter Dahl / TV 2" alt="POINTING OUT THREE: TV 2's expert Ole Einar Bjørndalen believes three rookie athletes
Proposing three names
Behind what is the world’s best biathlon team,there are also several Norwegian athletes who could likely compete at the World Cup level.
TV 2’s expert Ole Einar Bjørndalen believes at least one of them should get the chance.
– I would love to have three rookie athletes, Isak Frey, Martin uldal, and Johan-Olav Botn. They are all really good biathletes!
After assessment, it ultimately comes down to two athletes for the former biathlon king.
– For me, it ultimately comes down to two, Uldal and Frey. Uldal has two wins in the IBU Cup this season, Frey has three. So it would be natural to choose Frey, but Uldal has six podium finishes in eight races this season. I believe he has the potential to reach higher in the World Cup.
On Monday, confirmation came that it is indeed Uldal who will replace Dale-Skjevdal. Frey and Botn were only selected as reserves.
– In the last pursuit race they competed in, when Uldal and Botn finished first and second, I believe they were at a World Cup level. I think they could have been in the top five in the World Cup, and maybe won!
The IBU Cup is the level below the World cup.
CONSIDERING: National team coach Per-Arne Botnan is pondering which athletes will be going to Austria on Sunday evening. Photo: Marte Christensen / TV 2
Explaining the exclusion
National team coach per-Arne Botnan did not hide in an interview after the last race in Finland that Dale-skjevdal’s performances have been disappointing.
– Of course, I want Johannes to have good races. He is probably the most disappointed himself that he can’t perform as well as he can. He has had a number of races that haven’t been good. We will assess what to do moving forward.
On Monday, botnan explained the exclusion as follows:
– The rookie guys are knocking hard at the door with strong performances in the IBU Cup, while Dale-Skjevdal has not
achieved good enough results in Kontiolahti. We have chosen to give the spot to Martin Uldal, who has two first places and three podium finishes in six races. Isak Frey was also a candidate with his three wins, but what ultimately decided our choice was Uldal’s consistency in performance combined with the quality of some of his races, says the national team coach.
What are the emotional challenges faced by biathletes during competitions?
Time.news Interview Series: The Ups and Downs of Competitive Biathlon
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving deep into the emotional rollercoaster of the biathlon world with expert analyst, Ole Einar Bjørndalen, a legend in the sport. Ole, thank you for joining us.
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss biathlon.
Interviewer: Recently, it has been a tough time for Norwegian biathlete Johannes Dale-Skjevdal. Following his disappointing performance in Kontiolahti, where he finished 63rd in the individual race, he expressed feelings of frustration and emptiness. What’s your take on his current situation?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Johannes’s feelings are wholly understandable. The pressure to perform at such a high level can be overwhelming,and when results don’t align with hard work,it creates feelings of self-doubt. It’s critically important for athletes to navigate these emotions effectively.
Interviewer: Indeed! he mentioned feeling “angry” but also expressed hope to find motivation again. What would you advise an athlete like him in these moments of despair?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: it’s crucial for athletes to focus on the process rather than solely on the outcome. Reflecting on what went wrong, seeking support from coaches, and perhaps taking a short break could help refresh his mindset. It’s also vital to remember that every athlete has ups and downs.
Interviewer: In the article, ther’s a mention that he may not be selected for the upcoming races in Hochfilzen due to his performance. Do you think that gives him a chance to regroup, or does it add more pressure?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: It can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, not being selected can offer him a much-needed break and time to reset. On the other hand, it might feel like a significant setback. He needs to view it as an opportunity to come back stronger and potentially learn from those competing in the IBU Cup.
Interviewer: You’ve been in his shoes before, facing both triumph and disappointment. How did you manage to bounce back from challenging moments in your career?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: One key element is resilience. I often leaned on a supportive network of teammates and coaches. Additionally, setting small, achievable goals helped to rebuild my confidence. Even the champions face struggles—it’s how you respond that shapes your future success.
Interviewer: That’s excellent advice. Dale-Skjevdal humorously suggested that perhaps he should follow in the footsteps of cross-country skier Iver Tildheim Andersen and “go home and drink ten beers” after a tough performance. how important is humor in coping with pressures of the sport?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Humor is essential! it helps lighten the heavy atmosphere that often surrounds competitive sports. Being able to laugh at oneself or a situation is a sign of strength and maturity. It allows athletes to step back and view their situation from a different viewpoint.
Interviewer: what do you think is next for Johannes Dale-Skjevdal and other athletes in similar situations?
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: The next step is self-reflection coupled with realignment of goals. It is important for athletes like Johannes to remember their passion for the sport that got them into biathlon in the first place. With the right mindset,setbacks can become setups for comebacks.
Interviewer: Thank you, Ole, for your insights. It’s been inspiring to hear your perspective on navigating the complexities of competitive sports, and I’m sure it will resonate with many athletes and fans alike.
Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Thank you for having me! Let’s wish for a positive turnaround for johannes and all athletes facing challenges. Its part of the journey.