Veteran Secures Final World Championship Spot – Norway’s Team in Trondheim

Anne Kjersti Kalvå (32) secured the twelfth and final women’s spot in Norway’s team for the Ski World Championships in Trondheim.

Kalvå has been in fine form during the last two World Cup weekends. She finished 7th in the 10-kilometer freestyle event in Italian Cogne and achieved 4th place in the 20-kilometer mass start in Engadin. After a rocky start to the season – having had to leave the national opening weekend at Beitostølen early and later crying after an 8th-place finish at the Norwegian Championships on Gåsbu – her performance trajectory has been on the rise.

Landslagstrener Sjur Ole Svarstad commented: "Anne Kjersti has delivered good results in recent weeks. She complements an exceptionally strong Norwegian team. Although she got off to a slightly awkward start this season, she has come on very strongly as winter has progressed."

When the World Championship team was presented in Oslo on 21 January, it was mentioned that one spot on the women’s side was open, with the final decision postponed until after the races in Engadin and Cogne. It has also been noted that Kalvå is designated as a domestic reserve, so her starting number in the races at Granåsen is not yet guaranteed.

Other members of the team include runners such as Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, Silje Theodorsen, Nora Sanness, and Helene Marie Fossesholm, while established performers like Therese Johaug, Astrid Øyre Slind, and Heidi Weng are expected to start in all events.

(©NTB)