Ingvild Flugstad Østberg has yet to return to competitive skiing. On Monday, she received another heavy blow as her grandmother, Valborg Østberg, passed away. She was 95 years old and left a significant mark as a pioneer for women in cross-country skiing.

In Ski-Norway, Valborg Østberg is regarded as one of the pioneers for women’s entry into cross-country skiing. In the early 1960s, it was not a given that women could compete in skiing. In local races, Østberg sometimes registered as a man to participate, as reported by Oppland Arbeiderblad about the woman from Gjøvik.

“My mother was heavily involved in orienteering for 15–20 years and only started competing in skiing when she was around 30. She was part of the first official women’s national team for six to seven years, starting in 1965. She won a silver medal at the Norwegian Championships and was a reserve when Norway won Olympic gold in Grenoble in 1968 (Babben Enger Damon, Berit Mørdre Lammedal, and Inger Aufles represented Norway),” says her son Helge Østberg about his mother, who won silver in her second national championship.

Valborg Østberg was one of the biggest fans of her granddaughter, Ingvild Flugstad Østberg.

“To me, she was first and foremost a grandmother. A grandmother who was always a safe and comforting presence, and who always supported us, grandchildren, and later her great-grandchildren. I have so many wonderful memories of a grandmother I love dearly. It’s sad and bittersweet to think that I won’t see her again, but all those good memories will stay with me forever. Grandma has been a role model and an inspiration for me, and I feel lucky to have had her in my life for so long,” says Ingvild Flugstad Østberg to OA-sporten.

“For us, it’s very strange to think that girls wouldn’t compete in skiing. In my time, that has always been a given. I’m proud that my grandmother was one of the women who paved the way for what we get to experience, and I’m very glad that she followed my career with such great interest,” says Ingvild Flugstad Østberg.

Her brother Eivind was also a good skier. He is a national champion in the junior class, has competed in Junior World Championships, and has run a marathon with a time of 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Valborg broke barriers

Valborg Østberg participated in the first Birkebeinerrennet that women were allowed to enter in 1976. In 1977, she won the women’s class. Following this victory, she was invited to the American version of Birkebeinerrennet the following year, where she also won, according to the local newspaper.

For many years, she dominated her age group. She was also a standout in orienteering and marathon.

After her own career, she avidly cheered for Ingvild, who has so far won two Olympic gold medals, two World Championship golds, a Tour de Ski victory, and 35 championship medals. Additionally, she has a total victory and 17 individual wins in the World Cup.

However, in recent years, Ingvild has struggled with eating disorders and has not received the certification required by the Ski Federation to compete.

Her son adds:

“Mom ran the Besseggløpet in 1:39 back then. I tried to run that distance afterward and was in good shape. That’s when I realized how fast she had run. I also joined her on some runs in Gjøvikmarka. Even though I was in good shape, I really had to push to keep up with her up Gubberudenga,” says Østberg with a smile.

Valborg Østberg celebrated her 95th birthday on May 14.

“She even gave a nice speech and clearly appreciated that so many had come to celebrate her. Now it’s us who must thank her for being so fortunate to have such a wonderful mother for so many years,” says her son Helge Østberg.

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