VM Dream Shattered for Tiril Udnes Weng

Tiril Udnes Weng won the overall World Cup and relocated to Trondheim in hopes of becoming a world champion at home. However, her dream has been dashed due to illness, as she has been unwell for the past four weeks.

"I can hardly think about it. I don't think I'll be in Trondheim. It's terrible to miss out on the local festivities, and I want to support my teammates. But I don't know," Weng said.

She acknowledges the harsh reality of her situation: her dream of competing in the World Championships is now out of reach.

"I had hoped to participate in the Norwegian Championships to qualify for the World Championships. But now I have been sick for four weeks and am still unwell. I wouldn't have had a chance to get in shape for the World Championships anyway," she shared.

Tiril, who broke through with her performance two years ago by winning the overall World Cup and earning a world title in relay, reflects on her abrupt shift in circumstances.

She had purchased an apartment in Granåsen with her twin sister, Lotta, to prepare effectively for the World Championships scheduled for the end of February and early March.

Unfortunately, her illness has persisted longer than anticipated. Weng remarked, "I’ve heard it takes a long time, but they probably don't want to specify how long, so I've Googled it."

When it comes to motivation, she tries to focus on the future. "I aim to get back to racing quickly; moving forward, everything will be about the Olympics for me," she added.

In addition to her troubles, Weng's teammates are also facing significant challenges. It appears that only Astrid Øyre Slind from the gold medal team at Planica will be eligible to compete in the relay for Norway at the World Championships.

Ingvild Flugstad Østberg has fallen short of the health requirements to compete this winter. Anne Kjersti Kalvå has struggled with poor form and illness, needing to show significant improvements at the Norwegian Championships to secure a spot on the team.

Truly, the upcoming championships hold vital importance for many athletes as they rally to reclaim their competitive edge before the major events.