Tour Leader Takes Action – Skips NM

Originally published in Eurosport on January 02, 2025

Tour Leader Takes Action – Skips NM - Eurosport

Norwegian cross-country skier Astrid Øyre Slind (36) will not be participating in the national championships (NM) in Gåsbu. Instead, she prioritizes the World Cup in France scheduled for two weeks later.

The NM events are set to take place from January 16 to 19.

Slind, who is currently leading in the Tour de Ski, held a press conference at the Norwegian team's usual Hotel Olimpionico in Castello, Val di Fiemme on Thursday.

"If I manage to finish here as planned, I'll be in a good position in the overall World Cup rankings too. I am one of those who plans to compete in many ski races, so for me, it has some value," Slind said.

The same weekend as the NM, there will also be World Cup races taking place in France.

"It's great to race in Les Rousses, and it's perhaps good to have some representatives in the World Cup even though NM is happening simultaneously."

The highlight of the season will be the World Championships in Trondheim, where Slind aims to perform strongly. Although she hasn't received an official ticket to the event yet, she expressed confidence in her chances: "I've been told 'intention squad' after winning three ski races, that I'm in a good position. It’s always about skiing fast leading up to the Worlds to actually compete in the distances. There's a difference between being on a selection squad and on the start line," she added.

Slind is among the few Norwegian athletes prioritizing altitude training ahead of the World Championships, which will take place in Lavazé, approximately 11 kilometers above the town of Cavalese in Val di Fiemme.

Currently, Slind leads the Tour de Ski by a tentative two-second margin ahead of fellow competitor Therese Johaug with three stages remaining in the competition.

The Tour de Ski will continue with a classical sprint in Val di Fiemme on Friday. Following this, there will be a 20-kilometer skiathlon on Saturday before everything culminates with the climb up Alpe Cermis on Sunday.