HAFJELL (Dagbladet): Heidi Weng is not only one of the world’s best cross-country skiers; she is also the norwegian champion and probably in the world elite in downhill racing.
Heidi’s big sister Merete Weng has also represented Norway in the downhill WC and has done quite well. Heidi is even better, but has never tested her strength in a World Cup. Nor has Therese Johaug, who Weng believes would become world champion in downhill racing if she competed.
But now Heidi Weng has found another new sport she loves: cycling on the road.
The 29-year-old from Ytre Enebakk now trains 20 hours of cycling a month. This leads the training more from the direction of Johaug and her large amount of running training against Helene Marie Fossesholm and her large share of cycling training.
– I have become very addicted to cycling. Now it’s almost like I want to take part in some bike rides, but I do not. I can not cycle downhill, Heidi Weng tells Dagbladet.
– But yes, I have put more cycling into training. I have cycled 20 hours a month.
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– Why have you started cycling so much?
– My sister is with a cycling trainer from Uno-X. So I have to keep up with the bike. I have to keep up with the Tour de France and when Uno-X rides. Otherwise I’ll hear it. I do not have to look at everything, but I follow. In addition, I think it’s fun.
– Do you notice any muscular change after switching to more cycling in your basic training?
– No it’s fine. I have not cycled that far. There are mostly recovery sessions and shorter trips.
– Everyone is laughing at me
Challenging the multi-talented Helene Marie Fossesholm on the bike seat, however, is not something Weng wants to embark on.
– I do not bother to challenge Helene, no. I’m more on the road, while she’s mountain biking. I will not brag about anything, because I have a sister who is very good at cycling, points out the cross-country profile from Ytre Enebakk.
– I have to practice more downhill and lack technique. Everyone is laughing at me, at those who look at me. I have no technique. I feel better than it looks.
Weng goes on to say that she envisions competing in Lillehammer-Oslo on the bike seat and perhaps playing football at a lower level, when her skiing career is over.
– Feels like 18 years
The time after life as a top athlete can leave a void for many who do not find new meaning in life, recently exemplified through Petter Northug.
– I do not know how it will be. I’m used to staying active all the time, whether it’s cross country or something else. I guess I typically say that I will never do as my mother, but I that will still be like my mother and have to go out and train all the time, Weng tells Dagbladet with a laugh.
– Cycling, football or some other activities I can imagine that I want to do. I think that will be my thing. What else I will do after my skiing career, I do not know. I do not know what everyday life will be like, because I’m just used to doing the same thing.
– That’s probably why I feel like 18 years old, because I’ve done the same thing all my life, since that time there, Weng says and smiles.
In childhood, by the way, was Weng a promising handball player in pairs with her friend and cousin Martine Ek Hagen.
Growing up, Ytre Enebakk’s great pride formed a radar pair on Driv Idrettslag together with her best friend and third cousin Martine Ek Hagen until the 8th grade. Then they chose to put their handball career aside and focus everything on cross-country skiing.
Sinked after leaden message
Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen has previously said that she believes Heidi Weng can work very well in health care with all its empathy and care after your skiing career, happy to work with older people.
– Heidi has very great empathy and is a caregiver. I hope she will one day work in the health care system, preferably with older people. Heidi has a lot of care in her and will once again be a fantastic mother, Jacobsen said.
At the time, Weng replied:
– Yes No. I have not thought much about it for a reason, but we will see now. That’s what I’ve done now, but we’ll see.
Impressed with Bjørgen
Heidi Weng is impressed with how Marit Bjørgen has managed to stay in shape right after her cross-country career, just like Heidi’s mother May Bente.
Had gallons of fluid in my legs
– When Marit bet, she was the best in the world, but I think what she shows now is also impressive. It will be exciting to watch in the winter, Weng says.
She has had stake intervals with Bjørgen lately, but is not surprised by the 40-year-old’s high level.
– No, she was not surprisingly strong. She was as strong as I expected. Marit is still tough. I have a mother who is over 50 years old who is still tenacious, Weng reminds.
– I have had intervals with Martine (Ek Hagen) as well. It has been annoying how fit she has been.
Johaug tricked by measurement: – It lies
Disappointed with Karlsson
Bjørgen – who will go cross-country skiing for the winter – is still so raw to stake that she beat Sweden’s ski favorite Frida Karlsson in a stake duel in the TV 2 broadcast «Landskampen».
