A stress fracture stopped training for three months. Now everything is about making it to the World Cup opener – and keeping the Olympic dream alive.

For the 21-year-old Norwegian, who entered the elite national team after a stellar senior debut last winter, the preseason has been anything but optimal.

Oskar Opstad Vike has barely been on skis or trained normally since the end of August, when he sustained a stress fracture in his back.

“It’s been long weeks. I’m used to getting up, training, eating, resting, and training more. It was very strange to wake up and not know what to do,” Vike tells Langrenn.com.

Everything is about Ruka

Vike hoped until the very last moment that he would be ready for the season opener at Beitostølen this weekend. But after Wednesday’s race-prep session, he had to accept that the weekend’s races would go on without him. Now the focus is on being ready for the World Cup opener in Ruka in one week.

“I managed the race prep fine yesterday, but in consultation with the team doctor and Arild (Monsen), we agreed to wait one more week before racing,” Vike says.

“But I’m itching to get started with the race season now,” he adds.

Vike is not the only one missing the season opener at Beitostølen.

Read More: Key Norwegian names doubtful for Beitostølen opener

Woke up and couldn’t walk

The newly selected national team skier describes a very tough autumn.

“It started during a sprint session at the camp in Molde after Toppidrettsveka in August. Suddenly, I felt pain, but I thought it was just muscular. But the next morning, I understood it wasn’t. I couldn’t walk and was sent home from the camp,” Vike tells Langrenn.com.

The MRI showed what they feared: the 21-year-old had sustained a stress fracture in the sacrum, at the bottom of the back.

“It was terribly frustrating. When it’s a fracture, it takes a very long time, and you can’t do anything,” Vike admits.

First came three to four weeks with no training at all. Gradually, he could start rehabilitation and rebuilding: first in the pool, then on the bike, and eventually on the double-pole machine. But it wasn’t until the past week that Vike was able to train on skis.

At the same time, he is clear that his goal for the season remains the same: the Olympics.

“The Olympics are the goal. It will be a tough battle for that sprint spot, but that’s the goal. And I believe in it. I’ve proven that I have the level,” the 21-year-old says.

Three important days

Over three days in Beitostølen, it will be decided which Norwegian athletes will compete at the World Cup opener in Ruka from November 28 to 30, which is also the first step on the road to the 2026 Olympics.

The race weekend starts with a classic sprint on Friday, followed by a 10km classic on Saturday and a 10km freestyle on Sunday. Two of the three events are also on the program for the 2026 Olympics: classic sprint and 10km freestyle.

Also Read: All you need to know about the cross-country season opener: Program and TV schedule

All start lists, details, and results can be found in the “EVENTS & RESULTS” section on ProXCskiing.com.

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