She feels she has done most things right for several years. Now, it’s about getting the margins on her side. This weekend, she has three chances in a row, and World Cup spots are on the line.

“There’s not much that needs to happen now. It’s mostly about getting everything to click at once so I can deliver what I’m capable of in every ski race now,” says Hedda Østberg Amundsen.

The 25-year-old from Norway knows what she’s talking about. She is now in her fourth season on the junior national team and is more than ready to leave it. Will this be the season?

Langrenn.com met with the Norwegian junior national team’s skier ahead of the season opener at Beitostølen. No one has been on the team longer than her.

When will you make the big leap to the elite national team? 

“I feel that it’s time now, and the work I’ve put in is good enough. Now it’s just a matter of putting it into ski races,” says Østberg Amundsen.

Also Read: Kristine Stavås Skistad: “It’s an insane feeling”

Simple – on paper 

“I feel that I have a body that works, that I can handle the overall load, and that I’ve improved on most things,” says Østberg Amundsen, elaborating:

“It’s a balancing act. You want to become good, and then you must constantly ride the edge to get better without tipping over. It’s about hitting the intensity right, both in easy and hard sessions,” she says.

So simple, on paper? 

“It’s easy to say and hard to do, but that’s often where you see the differences: in the balance. Those who become the best in the world are good at adjusting. They know when to take it easy, and they know when their body is at the point where they can push and stretch the limits that lead to progress,” says Østberg Amundsen, continuing:

“But it’s a balancing act that is terribly difficult to hit. I’ve improved every year and managed to perform consistently. Seeing development and progress is what drives me and gives me confidence. Now it’s just a matter of putting it into every ski race.”

Read More: Getting rid of the “Beito-Ghost”

Confidence is High 

Hedda Østberg Amundsen is starting all three races in the season opener at Beitostølen and enters the weekend with confidence.

“I’ve prepared well, and I should be able to compete for top results. Beitostølen is a place I have a good relationship with. This year it’s especially nice here with lots of snow and excellent conditions, and I’ve gone fast here before in both sprint and distance. I know the trails and I have a plan.”

After today’s sprint race, Hedda Østberg Amundsen finished in Xth place. Now, she is preparing for the upcoming events this weekend. 

After today’s sprint race, Hedda Østberg Amundsen reached the semi-finals and ended up in 8th place. Now, she is preparing for the upcoming events this weekend. 

Read More: Stavås Skistad and Valnes sprint winners at the Beitostølen premiere

FACTS: Beitostølen Season Premiere 

Who: Senior men and women
What: Classic sprint, 10km classic, and 10km freestyle (both with individual starts)
Where: Beitostølen, Norway
When: November 17 to 19, 2023

Events Program

Friday, November 17 

11:40 CET – 1.3km Sprint Quali C, Women
12:07 CET – 1.3km Sprint Quali C, Men
13:15 CET – 1.3km Sprint Final, Women
13:40 CET – 1.3km Sprint Final, Men 

More information can be found HERE.

Saturday, November 18

9:45 CET – 10km Interval C, Women
11:15 CET – 10km Interval C, Men

More information can be found HERE.

Sunday, November 19 

11:30 CET – 10km Interval F, Women
12:55 CET – 10km Interval F, Men

More information can be found HERE.