Marit Bjorgen Sick, Opts To Sit Out Season Opener

Marit Bjorgen told NRK this morning and confirmed it at the press conference later in the day. – I woke up this morning and felt “icky”and “low energy,” so it was decided that I should sit out today’s workout, “Marit Bjorgen said to NRK.

At the press conference, she explained that it’s not a full-blown illness. – I’m not really sick, just feel a little icky. I take no chances. I’d rather sit out now and be sure I’m ready to race at the World Cup opener in Gällivare next weekend, “said Bjorgen. Not to take any chances, it was also decided that she should stay away from the other girls on the team to avoid spreading any infection. The same was the case when Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen was sent home to London immediately when she woke up with sore throat during a national team training camp in Val Senales (ITA) a few weeks ago.

Dreams of an individual world championship gold

For the season that begins tomorrow, Bjorgen said that she is on track towards the main goal, the World Championships in Oslo in February/March, and that she probably has done more and better preparation than last year. – I am stronger mentally and have more experience, Bjorgen said. – I’m going to do all the World Cup races, except the Düsseldorf events, the Tour de Ski and the races in Rybinsk, Bjorgen said at the press conference. – If all goes according to plan, she added. Bjorgen listed her major goals for the season: – I have a dream: to win an individual World Championship gold medal in Holmenkollen.

“Why don’t you have any ‘hairier goals’?” one NRK reporter asked. – Even though I took many medals in the Olympics, I know that it is not so easy to win. I’ve had my ups and downs, so I’m prepared for anything,” Bjorgen said.

Skips Friday race

NRK confirmed in the early hours on Thursday that Friday’s 10 km freestyle event takes place without Bjorgen. The whole weekend could be in danger for Bjorgen, but that is something that will be considered on Thursday night.

At the start of a season where the World Cup on home turf is the obvious target, the national team is not willing to take any chances with the athletes. Regardless, the Rognes skier will attend the FIS press conference on Thursday. The national cross-country opening at Beitostolen consists of a 10K free technique (15K for men) on Friday, skate sprints on Saturday, and concludes with a 10K classic on Sunday (15K for men).

Source: www.nrk.no

Ben Theyerl

Ben Theyerl was born into a family now three-generations into nordic ski racing in the US. He grew up skiing for Chippewa Valley Nordic in his native Eau Claire, Wisconsin, before spending four years racing for Colby College in Maine. He currently mixes writing and skiing while based out of Crested Butte, CO, where he coaches the best group of high schoolers one could hope to find.