Finally, the overall winner of last year’s World Cup is ready for the first ski race of the season. On Friday, Tiril Udnes Weng will make her season debut.

The Norwegian Tiril Udnes Weng has not raced since last winter. But now the 27-year-old has shaken off illness and is ready for the Scandinavian Cup in Estonia this weekend.

On the program in Otepää is a classic sprint, a 20km classic, and a 10km free technique event. Udnes Weng is registered for all races.  

See facts and details for the Scandinavian Cup in Otepää at the bottom of the article

Nervous
After such a long competition break, Udnes Weng is excited about what answers her body gives, and not least where she stands.  

“It hasn’t turned out to be the season I envisioned, but I hope for some good weeks ahead. It’s a bit strange to start the racing season now, and it’s always nervous before the first race,” says Udnes Weng. 

However, the reigning World Cup winner believes that she is well prepared and has trained well in recent weeks.

“I’ve had a couple of nice weeks after Christmas. Things just got better and better. The body responds well, so the question is whether the form is at its best. It may be that my expectations are a little too high, but I hope to be there and fight at the very top. I plan to race all three events in Estonia,” says Udnes Weng.

Sidelined by illness
Tiril Udnes Weng contracted Covid ahead of the Beitostølen premiere in November, and the illness put an end to the World Cup premiere in Ruka. 

Then, illness caused the next World Cup races in Gällivare and Östersund to be missed. The same goes for the World Cup at home in Trondheim. There was also no Tour de Ski for Udnes Weng.

Excited coach
“Tiril showed skiing at a very high-level last year but has not raced a single race this season. It will be very exciting to see her at the start this weekend. Is she in the top right away, or does she need some time? It is very positive that she is healthy enough to cross-country ski again,” says head coach for the elite national team Sjur Ole Svarstad in a press release, and continues: 

“Tiril does not travel to Estonia just to participate; she travels to be at the top. This will be a bit like a traditional Beito premiere for her.”

FACTS: Scandinavian Cup  
Who:  Men and Women Senior
What:  Scandinavian Cup
Where:  Otepää, Estonia
When:  January 12 to 14, 2024

Program
Friday 12 January
09:00: Sprint classic prologue, women 
09:30: Sprint classic prologue, men 
12:30: Sprint classic finals, women and men
Start lists and details

Saturday 13 January
09:00: 20km classic, individual start, women
12:15: 20km classic, individual start, men
Start lists and details

Sunday 14 January
08:00: 10km freestyle individual start, women
09:30: 10km freestyle individual start, men
Start lists and details

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more.