In Bad Gastein, mid-December, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Engcon, made her racing comeback after a severe roller-skiing accident last June, which nearly ended both her life and her athletic career.

Her return was nothing short of extraordinary. On Saturday, Alnæs won the 7 km individual time trial, and on Sunday’s Bad Gastein Criterium, she finished second. Television footage revealed a massive knee brace supporting her leg, and her tears at the finish line on Saturday spoke volumes. She decided to compete in the opening Ski Classics races at the very last minute.

“Originally, I planned to just support my team. But before we came here, I had two good weeks in Livigno, so we decided I could give it a try,” she said after her Saturday victory.

Only a week earlier, Alnæs had shared her progress in an interview with ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langrenn.com. She had spent a week training on snow in Livigno, completing long sessions and her first two interval workouts since the accident. She later joined her Team Engcon, preparing for the Ski Classics season opener in Austria.

Was She Ready to Race?

Alnæs laughed and replied:

“Not at all. There’s a big difference between solo intervals and mass-start racing against the world’s best marathon skiers. According to the Sports Health Center protocol, I’m not race-ready. But long-distance skiing isn’t a contact sport—it’s different. Standing and double-poling on skis isn’t the same as playing physical games,” she explained.

While her knee—shattered in the June accident—can now handle skiing, she still can’t run or bike.
“The bone has healed, but it takes time. Honestly, my mobility is terrible—I can only bend my knee 90 degrees. My fitness might look good on the outside, but it doesn’t feel that way to me.”

The Accident and Recovery Timeline

On June 26, Alnæs was hit by a car during roller-ski training, shattering her kneecap and injuring her femur. She underwent surgery at Aker Hospital.

• June 26: Accident and surgery
• August: Focused on rehabilitation
• October: Gradual recovery of knee mobility
• November: First return to skiing on snow
• December: Consideration for Ski Classics racing
• December 14: Victory in the 7 km time trial in Bad Gastein
• December 15: 2nd place in the Bad Gastein Criterium

Conquering Fear and Embracing Training

Returning to Livigno was both challenging and inspiring. Having signed with Team Engcon just weeks before her accident, Alnæs relied on her love for training to stay motivated.
“I never felt demotivated or resentful during this process,” she said.

However, the mental challenges were as significant as the physical ones. She sought psychological support to overcome her fear of roller-skiing.
“That was incredibly helpful. My psychologist helped me approach the situation objectively and work on skiing independently. Initially, I needed my team manager, Jørgen (Ulvang), to accompany me by car or train in controlled environments. My partner and family were also an immense source of support.”

Comparing Recoveries

Alnæs acknowledged that her recovery differed greatly from that of fellow Norwegian Helene Fossesholm, who dislocated her knee in a fall soccer match and returned to elite competition within three months.
“The injuries aren’t comparable. Helene avoided surgery, which makes a huge difference. I have 12 screws and a metal plate in my knee, along with a scar that limits my mobility,” Alnæs explained.

Looking Ahead

Despite her progress, Alnæs admits she’s far from her usual competitive form.
“My goal is to race in Marcialonga at the end of January. Competing in Bad Gastein depended on risk assessments—it wasn’t entirely up to me. I’d love to race, but I know waiting might be the smarter choice.”

When asked what she’s most curious about upon returning to racing, she reflected:
“I wonder if I’ll still have the courage to push hard in corners and downhills—those have always been my strengths in skiing.”

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