The 26-year-old from Geilo, Norway, is forced to postpone her comeback dream and will miss the season opener. Once again, she is unsure when she can return.

She has been just below World Cup level for several seasons, but after finishing second at the Norwegian national season opener last year, Åsne Skrede got her chance at the top level in December. However, after two rounds of the World Cup, everything came to a sudden stop. 

A herniated disc in her back in January and the surgery that followed forced her to put her career on hold. 

Also Read: Forced into an indefinite career break

Has to postpone comeback

After months of rehabilitation, Skrede dreamed of a comeback at the season opener in Geilo on November 14–15. 

But that will not happen. 

“This year will be the first year for as long as I can remember that November will be without skiing,” Skrede writes on social media.

Skrede is still struggling with the effects of the herniated disc, and her return to training has taken longer than expected. 

“The strength and control in my left ankle and the front of my lower leg are still somewhat reduced after the injury last winter. Even though there is improvement, it is unfortunately not enough for me to be ready for the start of the season in Geilo,” she says, and continues.

“Over the last few months I have been working to get back on skis, but it seems to be taking longer than I would like.” 

Skrede will now prioritize cycling instead. 

“Lately, my training has mostly been on the bike, and since it is something that gives me great joy, I want to focus a bit more on it in the coming period,” she says, but she makes no secret that she would have liked things to be different. 

“For now, I am going to miss ski racing and the biathlon family a lot.”

Biathlon talent

Åsne Skrede’s biggest international results so far are relay gold and pursuit bronze from the European Championships in her breakthrough season in 2021, as well as mixed relay bronze from the 2020 European Championships. 

The Geilo native also has two silver medals and one bronze from the 2020 Junior World Championships, as well as three gold and two silver medals from the Norwegian Junior Championships.  

Read More: Straight onto the podium – seven months after giving birth to twins

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