Ingvild Flugstad Østberg was refused entry and did not take part in a single ski race last winter, opens up about the difficult winter, the rejection and the road ahead – towards the World Championships in Trondheim.

Ingvild Flugstad Østberg wants to go to the World Championships in Trondheim. She is convinced that she has what it takes to get there. 

“I think it’s perfectly possible to find the balance between the right amount of training and, at the same time, being within the requirements for a health certificate. I really want to do this, and I think it’s nice to ski,” says Flugstad Østberg in an interview with Oppland Arbeiderblad.

For the second time, she is assembling her own team and a private venture to achieve her goal. The last time she did it, two years ago, she succeeded. Flugstad Østberg made the Norwegian squad for the World Championships in Planica 2023. 

What she finds most difficult is calling sponsors. 

“I’m not very good at calling sponsors and saying I need help. I also find it a bit bad because I can’t guarantee that I’ll get to go ski racing. Even though I wouldn’t start a new season if I didn’t believe that I’d get an approved health certificate and be able to fight for medals at the World Championships,” says Flugstad Østberg.

According to Langrenn.com, the 33-year-old’s winter has not been easy. She has trained well and has been largely healthy and injury-free, but the uncertainty remains. 

“On good training days, I can feel the belief that I can fight for medals. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have continued. On the other hand, I can often say to myself that I don’t have a chance if I don’t have this specific health certificate. It’s a painful situation to be in,” says Flugstad Østberg.

Solid sporting program

Flugstad Østberg does, however, have a sporting plan in place. 

The plan is to train a lot with Therese Johaug and Helene Marie Fossesholm. Both live in Oslo, and both are competing outside the national team. 

Fossesholm was also dropped from the team in April but has now organized her own private program. Johaug is still contemplating a World Cup comeback but is “putting in the effort required to possibly compete.” 

Her most important sporting supporter will be Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplass, as was the case last time. He has been appointed coach of the Norwegian women’s national team but in a 50 percent position. 

Read More: New coaches for the Norwegian women’s national team

The veteran coach is confident Ingvild Flugstad Østberg can fulfill her World Cup dream. 

“It’s like I usually say to all athletes who drop out of a team. It’s for six months, but if you do a good job for six months, you’re back on the team in December. You have to do a bit of soul-searching and figure out what you’re going to do in the six months you’re not on the team,” he told Nettavisen during the national team selection in April.

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