RUKA (VG) Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (31) thinks 33rd place in the comeback was “pretty bad”, but thinks it was a victory to be at the start.
– It was special. Early today I felt most of the feelings I remembered from the last time. It was good to know that it looked like it did before. But before the start, I felt other emotions as well, which were a little more «Oi! I have managed to come back? », Says Østberg to VG.
Østberg went his first race since March 2020 because she has not had approved health certificate. It ended with a 33rd place on 10 kilometers classic in Finnish freezing cold.
– The result was quite bad, but it was a victory in itself to be at the start. I have to take it with me, says Østberg.
She has had some tough years behind her.
– It could go a bit all the way sportingly today. I had hoped it would go faster, but that was what I was good at today. I could not chase and pull on extra today, says Østberg further.
She felt a lot of support in returning to the World Cup circus. She already has two Olympic golds, one World Cup gold, a victory in the Tour de Ski, a World Cup winner in total and 17 individual victories.
– I just wanted to be happy to be at the start. I felt I got extra applause from the audience before the start. It was good to be here with extra support from both the teammates and the foreigners, says Østberg.
The 31-year-old admits that it was unusual to go skiing again, and that she did not quite know what speed she should keep.
– I hope I’m good for better, but only time will tell. I need some skiing to go fast. I hope it will go faster throughout the season.
Østberg is unsure of what she thinks about her own Olympic candidacy.
– It’s too early to say. I have trained well and have a higher level inside than what I showed today, says Østberg.
Moseby believes Johaug had shocked people:
National team coach Ole Morten Iversen was naturally happy to have Østberg back in the World Cup.
– Ingvild has a lot to go on. That she’s a little rusty is not so surprising.
But he did not have much reason to be happy with the Norwegian team effort. Therese Johaug took second place 13 seconds bak Frida Karlsson.
This is how it went with the rest of the Norwegians: 10) Heidi Weng, Norway 0.55.7 behind, 15) Lotta Udnes Weng 1.06 31) Ragnhild Haga 1.48.5, 33) Ingvild Flugstad Østberg 1.52, 36) Anna Svendsen 1.54.4.
– I’m not worried, but on average this was well below par. It is well below what I had hoped and believed. Then we should not blackmail this.
Set our new ski program?
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