– There is a lot in it. I just have to make sure I don’t lay for a lot in itself, so that it becomes negative, says Helene Marie Fossesholm to TV 2.
She is in place at Gjøvik and ready for the NM after a break of just over a month.
The smile is still loose, although Helene Marie Fossesholm is very aware of what is at stake this weekend. Photo: Yngve Sem Pedersen / TV 2
The winter’s results in the World Cup have so far not been particularly encouraging. Now the 21-year-old hopes that this weekend’s Norwegian Championship will send her to the WC in Planica.
– There’s no doubt that if I’m going to get into that WC team, I have to go fast this weekend, but then I can’t think too much about it either, because then I’ll just get stressed, says Fossesholm.
– Will not speculate
The former junior world champion is still struggling with the consequences after she went on a “high kick” ahead of the 2021/22 season.
If it doesn’t work, I’ll be terribly disappointed, but I can’t think about the consequences now
9th place in the 10 kilometer freestyle during the World Cup in Lillehammer in early December remains her best result this winter.
There were several journalists who wanted to talk to Fossesholm ahead of the championship which may decide her WC fate. Photo: Yngve Sem Pedersen / TV 2
– I think I myself have a little more splash in my walk now, so it depends on whether that splash persists or if it only lasts for a couple of weeks, but I believe and hope that it will be a little better than before Christmas.
In 2021, she did all the distance exercises during the WC in Oberstdorf. In addition, she had the honor of leading Norway to the World Cup gold, as anchor woman in the relay.
Two years later, the situation is completely different. Fossesholm can stay at home when the Norwegian WC squad travels to Planica.
She would rather not think too much about how well she has to perform during the National Championships in Gjøvik, in order for her to be selected for the championships.
The cheerful cross-country runner feels that things are better now than before Christmas. We will get the answer on Friday. Photo: Caroline Simonsen / TV 2
– It is difficult to say and I choose not to speculate on that. It is not me who will take that team out, thank God. The only thing I can do is submit a good application in the form of a good ski race, says the cross-country skier.
– Can’t think about the consequences
TV 2’s cross-country experts, Petter Northug and Petter Skinstad, is completely clear that Fossesholm is one of the national team runners who are dependent on performing during the NM to join the WC discussion.
The young skiing talent does not hide the fact that she will be disappointed if she does not make the WC team.
– It’s clear, if it doesn’t work, I’ll be very disappointed, but I can’t think about the consequences now. I just have to focus on the fact that I’m going cross-country, think about going fast and how I’m going to achieve that, says Fossesholm.
Fossesholm took the final stage when Norway’s team won the WC gold in Oberstdorf. Therese Johaug, Tiril Udnes Weng and Heidi Weng walked the other three stages. Photo: Lise Åserud
Fossesholm has fond memories of the NM. When the Norwegian championships were held in Trondheim two years ago, she won her first NM gold in the 10 kilometer freestyle.
On Saturday, Norway’s best cross-country women will compete in the same exercise. This time she is more nervous.
– There may be a little extra nerves now, but I have been nervous before. It can’t be worse than before my first race in the WC anyway. I will do my best and then it will break or wear. I can’t do anything more.
