Martin Uldal Returns to World Cup After 1000 Days: "It Has Been Very Tough"

Martin Uldal is back in the World Cup after 1000 days away: “It has been very tough.”

The 23-year-old Norwegian athlete, who debuted in the World Cup nearly three years ago, is preparing for his first race since then this week in Hochfilzen, Austria. After a stellar performance in the IBU Cup recently, he has high hopes for his World Cup comeback.

“This is very exciting. I had a little hope for this moment from the start, and it's every skier’s dream to compete at this level,” he shared with Max.

Uldal has had a strong season in the IBU Cup, winning two races in Geilo last weekend and achieving three podium finishes in total during the season's opening.

“I believe I can deliver the same kind of performance in the World Cup too. It feels good to be here with the opportunity to perform well,” Uldal commented confidently.

The competition is tough with many strong athletes vying for places on the Norwegian team, which makes Uldal’s return all the more significant. After analyzing his previous performances, Uldal believes he has improved his competition strategy and physical training significantly.

As he prepares for the races this weekend, Uldal concedes that nerves will undoubtedly return, much like they have in his past experiences. However, he feels equipped to handle them better now than before.

“For me, I feel I manage these nerves when the competition starts. I focus on the motivation and the excitement to ski well and shoot accurately,” he remarked.

Returning to the World Cup is not something Uldal takes lightly; he acknowledges the fierce competition while aiming for the podium. With aspirations to deliver a top performance, Uldal is ready to take on the best in the world once again.