FasterSkier · March 30, 2005
Source: Langrenn.com — Translated by Torbjorn Karlsen
Fasterskier.com has several times the last couple season’s posted articles about Norwegian national team skier Hilde G. Pedersen (40) upcoming retirement. This past season was (again) going to be her last, however two relay gold’s at Worlds and enjoying life as a World Cup skier has made Hilde change her mind once again. The Torino, Italy Olympics is now her goal. Racing after that is not out of the question either.
She got two relay gold’s in Oberstdorf despite struggling with sickness. She skied a great second leg on the Norwegian 4 x 5-kilometer relay team and was more anonymous but still on the winning team with Marit Bjorgen in the two-person sprint relay.
– I’m not going to say that this will be my last season this time. I can race for another five years. I’ll stop when the drive is gone.
The Torino Olympics is at altitude and that requires a lot more altitude training. That’s a drawback for Hilde.
– That’s a hinder for me. I will discuss this with the national team staff after the weekend to see if it’s possible to make a plan that will accompany me. I’m sure we can work out something. I hope to be selected to the team again. It should work out. I don’t like to travel a lot before the season starts, but I’m mentally prepared for the fact that I need to take part in altitude camps. I’m struggling when I’m gone for two-three weeks at a time, says Hilde.
She is finishing the season this weekend with racing the second part of the Norwegian Championship at Lillehammer. She will race the two-person sprint relay with her daughter Ida.
– I’m sure we’ll do fine. I’m not sure about my shape at the moment. It’s a little anticlimactic to race after Easter. I’m motivated to ski a good 30-kilometer on Sunday and will end the season in style, says Hilde G. Pedersen
