Skistad Breaks Silence: 'I Was Like a 100-Year-Old Woman'

Skistad Breaks Silence: 'I Was Like a 100-Year-Old Woman'

Kristine Stavås Skistad, 25, a hopeful for the World Championships, has not spoken to the media for six months. On Thursday in Lillehammer, the cross-country skier finally opened up about her challenging journey since undergoing surgery in November.

"It's been really tough, but I feel that I've made it through and I'm very grateful for that," said Skistad. "After going through something difficult, you appreciate things much more. I feel very thankful to be here today."

While she refrained from revealing the details that led to her surgery, Skistad did share that she took three to four weeks off training due to her recovery, stating, "The surgery was necessary, and I feel much better afterwards."

She humorously noted her struggle during recovery, comparing herself to a 100-year-old using a walker as she worked her way back to her normal age of 25. "I’m really glad to get back to my correct age and that my body is functioning again," she said.

When asked about her rival Therese Johaug's comments that cross-country skiers should share more of their lives on social media to promote the sport, Skistad sided with her Swedish rival Linn Svahn, who disagreed with Johaug. "If people want to keep their private lives private, I completely understand that. It shouldn't be mandatory to share everything on social media."

Looking forward to competition, Skistad commented on the upcoming sprint event, confirming that despite her recent hardships, she is excited to compete and believes she is ready. "This winter will be fun if the Swedes don't beat me on Saturday," she joked.

Skistad aims to make her mark in the upcoming Lillehammer sprint, where she targets to prove her capabilities post-recovery. Her coach has indicated her readiness to compete and emphasized the importance of focusing on improving her performance towards the World Championships.