The short Version
- Astrid Øyre Slind won her first World Cup victory in the 20-kilometer race in Davos.
- therese Johaug vomited during the race and finished in third place, 13 seconds behind Slind.
- National team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad describes Slind’s performance as touching and praises her patience and hard work.
- Finnish Kerttu Niskanen finished in second place, 10.1 seconds behind Slind.
Show more
In front of VG during the interview – after finishing third in sunday’s 20 kilometer in classical style behind Slind and Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen – Johaug shows off her ski suit.
– I was so nauseous. I gave it my all. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. So that says something, and shows that things came up from my stomach during the very last lap.
Johaug led at almost all checkpoints, but lost seconds in the last kilometers. seven seconds behind Slind became 13.5 seconds at the finish.
For Slind, it was a tremendous boost. The victory in Davos is her very first in the World Cup, at the age of 36.
– I have waited many years for this. It means a lot. It’s nice to feel that I am the best in the world today. It’s the right year to be it as we have the World Championships at home as well, says Slind to Viaplay.
But after finishing third in Davos, Johaug is now considering taking action and changing a World Championship plan that initially seemed set in stone.
For instance, she had never envisioned participating in the Tour de Ski, which begins during the holiday season.
– I don’t know exactly what the plan is. I will sit down with the coaches and think about what I actually want, and what will be the best way forward, says Johaug, admitting that it may involve participating in the Tour de Ski.
– I feel that I need more competitive training, yes. I feel it a bit in my top speed, and there’s really no other way to improve than by competing. I need to think carefully, and then we’ll see what it ends up being.
– There are almost two months from the tour finishing until the World Championships start. I need to think carefully.
So far, she has a fourth and a second place in the World Cup in Finnish Ruka two weeks ago.
When the World Cup continued in Lillehammer last weekend,she took two completely dominant wins.
In Davos, she thus registers a third place.
National team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad says the following to VG about Slind’s notable victory:
The national team coach believes Øyre Slind looked incredibly strong on the courses at over 1500 meters elevation in Switzerland.
– Astrid has previously stated that it is indeed unachievable to defeat Therese,but cross-contry skiing has its own life,and today it was Astrid who was the strongest,he says.
Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs,who finished 13th,describes Øyre Slind as a “winner person”.
– She is very good at analyzing races and taking this with her as motivation. She is strong in her mind regarding those things.
victory at the end. photo: Jean-Christophe Bott / AP / NTB” class=”_image_e3l64_72 layout-component layout-normal” data-fullscreen-sizes=”(min-width: 1000px) 2000px, 2000vw” data-track-element-type=”Article image fullscreen” data-track-name=”ImageFullscreen” decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” height=”4605″ itemprop=”image” sizes=”(min-width: 980px) 980px, 100vw” src=”https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=40&s=f898edff90c69f2eb4f2415e047ce3749f67cd78″ srcset=”https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=40&s=f898edff90c69f2eb4f2415e047ce3749f67cd78 40w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=80&s=f42bc7e5f609ca82c7b512a7379ca5aed8400942 80w,https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=100&s=58ecde8e6a28b70e9656bdb63a99e5b13d136461 100w,https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=200&s=32a97433d33c09ac7f479619d6cc1302d5df2b5a 200w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=240&s=dcb5d541ab3a27769ce65cfeab66e5f1fd9f85c6 240w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=480&s=3fb9a10f9889a05b3fae842224bdc908abd15770 480w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=580&s=f8a01cddf48fe1e3e225aac2ac1041e0fb01ca82 580w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=720&s=878c98b337c5904be0c88515876ca300017fb9c1 720w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=1080&s=caefffcd30b27e93ec12042b89606fb1cd8db153 1080w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cab2bd?format=auto&w=1440&s=2e9f212aa648a4efdfbb9455cccaa88690961a7d 1440w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/31d1bc86-9976-4387-821a-4d5384cTHIRD PLACE: Therese Johaug did not look directly crushed after losing the victory at the end. Photo: Jean-Christophe Bott / AP / NTB
What mental strategies do competitive skiers use to cope with the pressure of major races?
Interview between time.news Editor and Skiing Expert
Editor: Welcome,everyone! Today,we’re joined by a special guest,Dr. Lena Frey, a sports physiologist and expert in competitive skiing.We’re diving into the recent dramatic World Cup victory by Astrid Øyre Slind in Davos.Dr. Frey,thank you for being here.
Dr.Frey: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an exciting event in the skiing world.
Editor: Let’s start with astrid Øyre Slind’s incredible performance. It’s her first World cup victory at 36 years old! What does this milestone signify, not just for her but for athletes in general?
Dr. Frey: This win is monumental for Slind. It demonstrates that hard work and perseverance can pay off at any age. In competitive sports, we often see athletes peaking in their 20s, so Slind’s victory is an inspiring reminder that commitment and continual improvement can lead to success, regardless of age.
Editor: Absolutely! She mentioned, “I have waited many years for this. It means a lot.” What kind of mental and emotional impact do you think this victory has on an athlete like Slind?
Dr.Frey: Winning can be a significant psychological boost. For Slind, this victory likely enhances her confidence and validates the countless hours of training and dedication she has put into her sport. emotionally, it can provide closure to years of hard work and possibly renew her motivation as she looks forward to the upcoming World Championships.
Editor: Speaking of emotional challenges, Therese Johaug finished third after leading for much of the race. In her post-race interview, she described feeling nauseous and losing time in the final laps.How common are physical adversities like this in competitive skiing?
Dr. Frey: Quite common, regrettably. The physical strain during long-distance races can be immense, and athletes often push their bodies to the limit. Nausea and fatigue can occur, especially towards the end of a race when the body is tired. Johaug’s experience highlights the fine line athletes walk between competing at their peak and managing their physical limits.
Editor: It sounds like balance is crucial. Johaug is now contemplating changes to her World Championship plans,including possibly entering the tour de Ski. How does participating in multiple competitions like this affect an athlete’s performance?
Dr. Frey: Competing in back-to-back events, like the Tour de Ski, can be a double-edged sword. On one side, it provides valuable competitive experience and an opportunity to sharpen skills and speed. On the other hand, it can lead to fatigue, especially if an athlete’s body doesn’t recover adequately between events. For Johaug, given her current struggles, it’s essential that she assesses her physical readiness before making any commitments.
Editor: Johaug mentioned she feels a need for more competitive training, suggesting she may rethink her strategy.How vital is this kind of reflective practice in sports?
Dr. Frey: Reflective practice is vital. Athletes must continuously assess their performance, training habits, and physical condition. It allows them to adapt their strategies to maximize effectiveness and avoid burnout. This is especially crucial on the road to major events like the World Championships.
Editor: what should we keep an eye on as we approach the World Championships? Any predictions or insights based on the recent races?
Dr. Frey: It will be engaging to watch how both Slind and Johaug adjust their training and approaches.If Slind can maintain her momentum and focus on her strengths, she could shine. Simultaneously occurring, Johaug’s decision-making will be key—if she can recover and adapt, she may come back stronger. The competitive landscape is always shifting, so fans should be prepared for exciting races ahead!
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Frey! This insightful discussion sheds light on the complex world of competitive skiing. we look forward to seeing how it all unfolds in the upcoming events.
Dr. Frey: My pleasure! It’s an exciting time for the sport, and I can’t wait to watch how these athletes perform.