Ida Dahl opens up

Ski Classics

by INGEBORG SCHEVE/Translated by Katerina Paul • 21.11.2024

La Venosta Ida Dahl Ski Classics La Venosta Criterium - Val Venosta (ITA)

Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus

After a challenging season last winter, the setbacks keep coming. Now, the 28-year-old is forced to put her skiing career on hold.

Following a winter full of trouble, the problems continue to pile up. Last season was marked by illness and a lack of form, with numerous races she had to skip. Now, Ida Dahl doubts she will compete at all before early next year.

“I haven’t been able to train much. I’ve been sick a lot, and there have been constant problems preventing me from training. So, I’m not ready to compete at the start of the season,” the Swedish ski star tells SVT.

Pushed to the breaking point

In the 2022/23 winter, she won the Ski Classics overall after finishing second in the two previous seasons. Ida Dahl was predicted a bright future, emerging as the new queen of long-distance skiing. But then everything fell apart.

Her last season was extremely tough, plagued by illness and a lack of form, with countless races without her. Now, the preseason has been more of the same.

Dahl doubts it is just a coincidence.

“It’s definitely not just bad luck. It’s more that I’ve been a bit too eager earlier, and now I’m paying for it,” says Dahl.

Among other things, she attempted a dual project, aiming for both all-round and long-distance skiing ahead of the World Championships in Planica 2023.

But even before last season, just months after the phenomenal success in the winter of 2022/23, she started sensing trouble.

Must face reality

Now, Dahl wants to learn from her mistakes and avoid falling into the same trap again.

“I’ve been too rushed, starting training again too quickly every time. I have to take it step by step and make smart choices. My body has taken such a beating that it’s taken an incredibly long time to recover and get back into a good flow,” says Ida Dahl.

Therefore, she isn’t setting any date for when she thinks she’ll be ready to compete again and hasn’t targeted any specific races as goals for the season.

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