The traditional cross-country skier from Gjøvik, Norway, must stay home while athletes she outperformed get to race in Ruka, Finland, this weekend.

Last winter, Hedda Bakkemo claimed a Norwegian Championships gold medal in the sprint at Beitostølen but was not selected for the Norwegian World Cup team. Once again, she fell within the quota for participants eligible to compete in the World Cup premiere in Ruka, Finland.

At Beitostølen, Bakkemo sprinted to a fourth-place finish, just ahead of Hedda Østberg Amundsen, who was chosen for the World Cup. Behind them was Julie Myhre, another athlete selected for the event. Lotta Udnes Weng, who fell in the semifinals, was also picked.

Read More: Norwegian national team for the Ruka World Cup

As a result, Bakkemo must stay home, even though the sprint in Ruka will be in classic style, the same as at Beitostølen.

“I kind of expected this outcome. They can probably argue both ways. Perhaps they reasoned that Hedda beat me in the prologue. It’s also likely they could justify taking a national team member despite a weak prologue. I just have to focus on improving so they’ll want to include me,” Bakkemo told Oppland Arbeiderblad.

Sport Director Ulf Morten Aune confirmed to the newspaper that Bakkemo’s 17th place in the prologue cost her a spot in Ruka.

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The Battle Between the Two Heddas

“There’s no doubt it was a very tight competition between the two Heddas. Østberg Amundsen performed well throughout the day, while Bakkemo excelled in the final. The prologue was decisive. Internationally, a strong prologue is crucial, and that’s where Østberg Amundsen stood out,” Aune explained.

He added that he is impressed with Bakkemo’s performance in classic sprint.

“It’s surely small comfort today, but Bakkemo is definitely on our radar for classic sprints,” Aune said.

Classic sprints in the World Cup are rare. After Ruka, we must wait until late January for another chance.

There is a classic sprint in France, but it overlaps with the Norwegian Championships.

“Due to the World Championships, we’ve decided that the next-best skiers should compete at the Norwegian Championships. Therefore, the next opportunity for a classic sprint is in Cogne at the end of January,” Aune explained.

No World Cup Skiers from Gjøvik

The Gjøvik region is missing World Cup participants in the season premiere. The traditionally strong skiing district also lacks Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, Mathilde Skjærdalen Myhrvold, and Ansgar Evensen.

For Bakkemo and Myhrvold, the upcoming Norwegian Cup at Gålå awaits this weekend.

“The coaches and Mathilde agreed to skip Ruka and continue training toward Lillehammer. I think that’s a wise decision. What she showed at Beitostølen was promising, and many are surprised at how quickly she has bounced back from her injury. Not many believed she’d manage it. Now she is getting a good training period, and things are looking very positive for Mathilde,” Aune told Oppland Arbeiderblad.

Lillehammer and World Championships in Freestyle

The World Cup sprint in Lillehammer will be in freestyle, as will the World Championships in Trondheim.

Hedda Bakkemo has lower expectations for freestyle sprints compared to classic ones.

“I’ve been clearly better in classic style, but I hope I’ve improved in skating as well,” said Bakkemo.

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