Skiing | The great promise of Norwegian skiing was exhausted and disappeared from the Games – even the coach does not know when he will return

When Norway won the women's 4×5 kilometer relay at the 2021 Winter World Championships in Oberstdorf, the team was anchored by a 19-year-old sensation Helene Marie Fossesholm. A great career was promised to the young woman, and a new one was expected of her Therese Johaugia.

These expectations have not been fulfilled. Fossesholm is now 22 years old, but he has not been seen on the racetracks for a year. It's been three years since the last World Cup podium finish.

The reason is overwork and exhaustion. The skier opened up about his situation at the beginning of November on Instagram. At that time, he said that the fall had not gone as planned, and the games could be delayed even longer.

“That's why I've had to take a step back. The joy in sports and training has always been the most important thing to me. In the fall I wasn't quite myself physically or mentally, but now I'm doing better,” writes Fossesholm.

VG.no website interviewed the coaching staff of the Norwegian team about the situation in Fossesholm in connection with the Tour de Ski. The head coach Sjur Ole Svarstadin the answer about Fossesholm's return to competition was enigmatic.

“I don't know when he's coming back, and I'm not sure if he knows it himself,” Svarstad said said for VG.

At the turn of the year, Fossesholm was seen in skiing circles. Like many other skiing personalities, he was invited to Therese Johaug's wedding ceremony. It was also at the wedding ceremony Ingvild Flugstad Östbergwho is sidelined from national team activities due to health problems.

The return of both skiers is therefore open. Fossesholm's return will take place in smaller circles than the World Cup.

“First you have to get used to the lower level. It would be too harsh to start directly from the World Cup competitions”, Svarstad assesses Fossesholm's prospects.