World Cup opener missed - Skistad has undergone surgery

Kristine Stavås Skistad, a star in cross-country skiing, has faced a setback as she underwent abdominal surgery last Friday, effectively ruling her out of any upcoming competitions. The national ski team's physician, Ove Feragen, confirmed that Skistad will be out for an indefinite period as she focuses on recovery and rehabilitation.

"Kristine is out for an unspecified amount of time regarding competitions," Feragen explained. "She won’t be attending the events in Beitostølen or Ruka. We will continuously assess when she can return to competitive skiing."

Despite the uncertain timeline, Dr. Feragen reassured fans that, as it stands, there’s confidence Skistad will be fit to compete in the World Championships scheduled for early next year, provided her recovery goes as planned.

Looking back on this past spring, Skistad formally rejoined the national team while continuing her training under coach Lage Sofienlund in Konnerud. Feragen remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of a careful rehabilitation process to ensure she can compete competently once she returns.

With the early season skirmishes now behind her, Skistad’s focus will shift towards her recovery, and she aims to be in peak condition by the new year.

Her absence from competitions highlights the challenges elite athletes face with injuries, reaffirming the necessity of well-managed recovery periods.