Heidi Weng wins by a fraction against Therese Johaug at Beitostølen

Long-distance Skiing: Heidi Weng Wins by Tenths Against Therese Johaug at Beitostølen

Heidi Weng (33) couldn't sleep and contemplated retirement after Therese Johaug's overwhelming victory on Saturday. She questioned if she had the strength to continue.

Weng stated, "Maybe it’s just as well to quit while things are good," looking for a redemption after a sleepless night at Beitostølen. However, she bounced back fiercely, leading at all checkpoints and finishing ahead of Johaug by 0.6 seconds.

"I thought this was surprising. It felt fantastic. I was quite eager for revenge from yesterday, as I felt I had made progress this year but was lagging behind yesterday," she explained.

Weng was notably 39.6 seconds behind Johaug during Saturday's classic race. After her victory, she expressed the relief and joy of performing well on such a pivotal day for her.

Johaug, who had initially taken the lead, praised Weng’s performance, acknowledging the tight competition. "Heidi did a fantastic race today. It was tight. I knew it was about seconds, and I tried everything I could, but she took the lead in the end," Johaug said.

This victory marks a significant point for Weng, who has been facing challenges in her performance, and it serves as a reminder that she remains a contender in the sport.

PODIUM: The top finishers of the 10 km freestyle race at Beitostølen included Heidi Weng first, Therese Johaug second, and Astrid Øyre Slind third.

In the larger context of women's cross-country skiing, Weng’s win reignites competition dynamics and demonstrates the closely fought nature of these races, particularly against dominant athletes like Johaug.

As the season progresses, Weng's victory serves as motivation for herself and her competitors amid the competitive pressures of the sport.