Team Ramudden had some fantastic years, and the women have taken the lead and paved the way for the Pro Team. In the 2020/2021 season, Jenny Larsson was a skier who asserted in all Visma Ski Classics events. This season, she has not started a single race due to an injury to her wrist that doctors could not diagnose until many months after it occurred.

The injury is a so-called TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) injury. This is a collective term for ligaments and menisci that stabilize the wrist in rotation. Such damage means that one or more of the structures that are part of the complex have been damaged. A typical injury that makes double poling very painful.

“Unfortunately, I will never know exactly when the injury occurred. Most often, it comes from trauma, i.e., a fall. It can also be due to prolonged overload during a movement.”

“During Marcialonga last year, I fell, and after that, many problems arose in the shoulder and neck. It was a real test to be able to start in Jizerska 14 days later,” says Jenny Larsson.

“It was only in the Vasaloppet, four weeks after Marcialonga and the fall, that I felt pain in my wrist and that something was holding me back.”

Jenny had a difficult time after the wrist began to become very painful. The doctors have had a hard time making a diagnosis, which has meant that the long-distance skier didn’t know the problem.

“I have been obvious and not give up until I have received an answer to what it is. Since September, the TFCC ligament has been mentioned, but several have ruled it out.”

“Three weeks ago, I came to a hand surgeon, a sports and ligament injuries specialist. He made a definite diagnosis. Of course, it’s easy to get bitter over all the time that has been wasted, but I am convinced that all the different doctors I have been to, have done their best,” says Jenny.

Until the New Year, Team Ramudden trained the skier as if she were to compete this winter. Hope has always been there. Therefore, she is not unsure of her physical shape, even though there has been a lot of running and minor strain on her upper body. Alternative training makes one strong, and Jenny is proud of the job she has put in through all these months.

“The way back will be with patience. It is important to do everything straight from the ground up and benefit from the rehab training for both the wrist and other areas that I have a lot to gain from and become a significantly stronger and better skier.”

“This motivates me very much. It is a long time until November, and I feel confident that I will have done a good job by then. Me and my coach, Ida Ingemarsdotter, did an excellent evaluation after last year’s season. I am ready and eager to train hard, but with some modification of the rehab that awaits.”

“It has been significantly tougher to watch the season from the side than I had thought. Above all, I have realized how much I miss the team and the fellowship. I challenged myself to comment on the first races of the season. It was incredibly cool to see the whole team be so good during Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge. At the same time, it was a shame not to be there and enjoy with all the skiers and wax techs.”

“That everyone in the team did so well, I’m not surprised, but what Ida Dahl has done this season has impressed me. Her mindset is amazing.”

“In addition, the way Astrid Øyre Slind has developed and the double poling she shows is really strong. The way she came back after corona is impressive and well deserved.”

Skilled and Knowledgeable Coach 

Just before last year’s season, Jenny Larsson changed coach to Ida Ingemarsdotter, and they sat down and brainstormed with the best of both worlds, both traditional cross-country skiing, and long-distance skiing.

“Ida’s experience from sprint and all of her experiences through many years in the World Cup and my thoughts on long-distance skiing were put together into a system. It was also my first season where I gave long-distance 100% focus. This really turned out to be successful. I noticed it right away.”

“The team has certainly been the most important factor for us performing well as a team, especially the girls together. We also get all the best conditions for skiing fast with fantastic equipment and atmosphere that makes one perform their best,” Jenny continues.

“If there is one thing I have learned this year, is that skiing and the lifestyle, being an athlete, is something I really love and have missed so much.”

The Right Choice In Her Career 

Long-distance skiing and the decision to invest in it was the best decision Jenny has made in her sports career. She flourished as a skier after that. Both the well-being of the team and being a full-time athlete make everything much more straightforward.

“Before I started with long-distance skiing, I was dependent on working alongside the training to make everything financially possible. In any case, I am very clear that I am a skier and like to take the chances that exist to go traditional cross-country skiing as well. But long-distance skiing is my main focus.”

Jenny Larsson is looking forward to joining the Ski Classics circus next season. It also gives a little extra showing the events on NRK and SVT.

“I must admit that I think it’s cool but also provocative that people are surprised by our capacity. It’s good that we get to show ourselves, and maybe we can inspire the World Cup skiers to develop the double poling even more,” Jenny smiles.

“The priority now is to be strong and healthy. If I can continue in Team Ramudden is something I want, but we have not taken that discussion yet.”

“The goal for the future is quite clear; I want to win Vasaloppet and, of course, the yellow bib after a season where stability has shown itself at a high level. To be the best over time, I think, is incredibly impressive.”