She had a solid start to Ski Classics Season XV with a seventh place at Bad Gastein. During La Venosta Criterium, the Swedish Pro Team athlete was involved in a crash, and now the season is in danger.

Hedda Bångman, Vltava Fund Ski Team, started the season with a strong performance, and at the Bad Gastein Criterium, she set a new personal best with seventh place. Now, the season is at risk after a crash at La Venosta.

“I was happy with the first race in Bad Gastein and felt I had a boost this year. I was in good shape, so it was extra bad that I got the injury,” says Hedda Bångman to Langd.se. 

It was during the La Venosta Criterium that the accident happened. Hedda and some other skiers were involved in a crash.

“I was hit from behind in a downhill by another skier. Immediately, I noticed that my foot didn’t feel good but didn’t have much pain. The binding broke, so my first thought was to find a new ski, but after a few minutes, I felt I couldn’t finish the race. When I took off my boot and saw the ankle, I immediately got a bad feeling,” Bångman says about the crash.

What have you been told about the injury?

“I have a fracture in my ankle and will have a plaster cast for about six weeks.”

Just over a week has passed since she got the news, and it has been a tough few days for Hedda.

“It has been mentally tough the last few days, but I feel good. I have felt frustrated about the situation and sad about not being able to compete and train as I wish,” she says and continues:

“But now I’m looking forward to building a strong upper body and returning stronger. But I am also humble that it will take time, and I will have to adapt, adjust, and listen to my body extra much. Priority one is to heal the fracture,” says Hedda Bångman.

When can you get back on track?

“Time will tell. When I saw the X-rays, I understood that it would take time. That’s the message I got from the doctors as well. I don’t want to speculate on when I can compete again, but I try to turn the uncertainty into curiosity about the rehabilitation process. I have a vision of being able to compete before the end of the season,” Hedda Bångman concludes.

Read More: Ski Classics standings after La Venosta weekend

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon in Italy on January 13, 2024. The event marks the fifth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage of Season XV.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 37km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com