The Norwegian athlete thought she was too old for traditional cross-country skiing ten years ago and switched to long-distance skiing. Yesterday, the 35-year-old won the bronze medal in her World Championships debut.

“I believed I would ski quite well, but not that well. I wasn’t among the favorites on the start list, but this is very much about the form. I’ve apparently skied well,” says Astrid Øyre Slind after her career’s first World Championships medal.

Few would have thought that it was during the skiathlon race that the Pro Tour athlete would win a World Championships medal. Nevertheless, the 35-year-old secured it at the first opportunity, and in the end, it was only the two Swedish skiers Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson ahead of her.

“It’s huge, but being first on the finish line at Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet was big too,” answers Øyre Slind when asked if the World Championships medal is her most significant result so far in her career.

The Competitors Are Impressed

The last part of the race, in skating technique, was the most exciting moment for Øyre Slind. Astrid says she had two sessions a week of skating in summer and autumn. Nevertheless, the long-distance skier impressed her competitors with her performance.

“It is very impressive from Astrid. Coming here and going straight for a bronze medal in the skiathlon is incredibly impressive,” says Ingvild Flugstad Østberg.

Øyre Slind also admits after the finish line that she has recently had the skiathlon on her mind. She received the green light to race the distance three weeks ago. In that time, she completed three specific sessions with ski changes.

She is in top shape, and now Øyre Slind is one of the favorites for the 30km race next Saturday, March 4.

“It is impressive what Astrid did today (yesterday). It will be scary to see what she can achieve in the 30km classic,” says silver medalist Frida Karlsson.

Thanking Her Teammate

After the bronze medal, Øyre Slind thanks one person in particular for taking the chance before the season to qualify for the World Championships; teammate at Team Aker Dæhlie and training partner for several years, Chris André Jespersen.

“It was probably only Chris who believed in this. If it hadn’t been for him, I would probably have been content to go long distances. It helps to have someone who believes in you,” says Øyre Slind.

On the other hand, she believes that the specific long-distance training has been decisive in standing where she is today.

“For me, it has worked very well. Those sessions challenged me completely differently than when I trained in traditional cross-country skiing. I think many interesting things are happening in the long-distance skiing environment. It’s a bit more challenging there. It has been both fun and developing for me in recent years,” Astrid says.

The Coach Pays Tribute To Patience

Last time Øyre Slind was in a World Cup before this season was in 2014. After that, she fully invested in long-distance skiing and Ski Classics.

“I actually felt too old for traditional cross-country skiing when I was 26. Now most people starting here are around 30. It takes time to get good. Many people peak when they are around 30 years old. Then you have the experience and training you have added for many years.”

The patience Øyre Slind has had over several years is also something the Norwegian national team coach, Stig Rune Kveen, praises the bronze medal winner after the finish:

“We believe in persevering work over many years. It’s a good sign to the rest of us that we have to be patient and work hard,” says Kveen.

The national team coach also admits that Øyre Slind is now considered to start in more distance events at the World Championships. And there is a distance that Astrid already believes she is ready for:

“They can decide whether they want me to ski, but I am ready for the first leg of the relay.”

See below the complete program for the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. *subject to changes

FACTS Planica World Championships Season 2022/2023

• When: Tuesday, February 21 to Sunday, March 5, 2023 
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Planica, Slovenia
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Championships in Planica, Slovenia

Planica 2023 – Cross-Country Skiing Complete Program

February 21, Tuesday

• 20:23 Opening Ceremony, Planica Nordic Park Kranjska Gora

February 22, Wednesday

• 12:00 Women’s Qualification race, 5km freestyle
• 13:30 Men’s Qualification race, 10km freestyle

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 23, Thursday

• 12:00 Women/Men Sprint qualification, classic
• 14:30 Women/Men Sprint finals, classic

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 24, Friday

• 15:30 Men’s Skiathlon, 15/15km

Start list, details, and results you can find here

February 25, Saturday

• 14:00 Women’s Skiathlon, 7.5km/7.5km

Start list, details, and results you can find here

February 26, Sunday

• 11:30 Women/Men Team Sprint qualification, freestyle
• 13:30 Women/Men Team Sprint finals, freestyle

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 27, Monday 

• Day Off

February 28, Tuesday

• 12:30 Women’s Individual, 10km freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 1, Wednesday

• 12:30 Men’s Individual, 15km freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 2, Thursday 

• 12:30 Women’s Relay, 4x5km classic/freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 3, Friday

• 12:30 Men’s Relay, 4x10km classic/freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 4, Saturday

• 12:00 Women’s Mass Start, 30km classic

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 5, Sunday

• 12:00 Men’s Mass Start, 50km classic
• After the competition – Medal and Closing Ceremony

Start list, details, and results you can find here