Norwegian national team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad faces uncertainties about the return of skiing prodigy Helene Marie Fossesholm. After a break from competitive skiing, Fossesholm’s comeback plans remain unclear.

Expressing his uncertainty about Fossesholm’s comeback, Svarstad admits to VG, “I don’t know when she will be back. I’m not sure if she knows that either.”

Svarstad is keenly concerned about Fossesholm’s well-being and underscores the importance of allowing her to determine when she’s ready to re-enter the competitive skiing arena. “I am very concerned about not pushing her. She must know when she wants to race,” emphasizes Svarstad.

The Norwegian national team staff is approaching Fossesholm’s return cautiously, planning to reintroduce her to competition at a lower level before considering a return to the demanding World Cup circuit. Svarstad comments on the strategy, stating, “You have to try at a slightly lower level first. It would be difficult to be thrown straight into the World Cup,” he says.

While Svarstad remains hopeful about Fossesholm skiing this season, he refrains from making any promises. National team coach colleague Stig Rune Kveen, however, provides a glimmer of hope, saying, “I would say that Helene is doing better. It is not certain that it will take that long before she is back skiing; we will see.”

In response to inquiries about the likelihood of Fossesholm hitting the slopes in January, Kveen maintains cautious optimism, stating, “I don’t want to answer that, but it is going in the right direction. We hope she will start eventually.”

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