Norway has been winning prestigious skiing medals at a steady pace, but change is needed in the country.
Therese Johaug (right) ended her career. Now in Norway, people are worried about the state of women’s skiing. PASI LEISMA
Norwegians are worried about the level and future of women’s cross-country skiing. Although the fjord country has become accustomed to success, the overall level has weakened.
This is evident from a report published in October, which was done by Olympic winners, among others Therese Johaug and Bente Skariformer women’s national team coach Sindre Bergan as well as several professors and coaching experts.
– The last few years have shown that the (material) width behind the best women has narrowed and the international results behind the tops have constantly weakened, the report says.
– That’s why we need to raise the level of women’s skiing. We need to identify deviations from the reasons for past success so that we can continue to grow new stars.
Therese Johaug was involved in thinking about what should be done for women’s skiing in Norway. Pasi Liesimaa
The 36-page report shows a fact that can also be seen in the World Cup: Norway has more top-level skiing men than women.
In the 2015-2016 World Cup season, Norwegian women had an average of 3.5 skiers in the top six in normal distances and three in sprints. Last season, there were an average of 1.0–1.5 top 6 placings in normal distances, only one in sprints.
Last season, men took an average of 2.5 top six places in normal distances and 3 in sprints. The statistics looked at World Cup events that included both men and women from Norway.
– The curve has been falling in recent years. The trend can be seen in women’s normal distances and sprints, the report states.
Not enough level
There are even fewer Norwegian women at the top. Kari Kuukka
According to the working group, Norway’s top success in recent years was based on a shared hard training culture. It is no longer as strong as it was 5-6 years ago.
In recent years, few women have risen from the B national team to the top.
– The development of too many athletes and the quality of training have been monitored too little. Training has not been the best possible before the national team and during the rise to the top. Based on the test results, the level of the athletes behind the national team is not enough for the top.
In the working group’s opinion, the Norwegian Skiing Association should create a common training culture and monitor the development of female skiers more closely than at present.
Women should be given information about the prevention of health problems, nutrition and the effect of puberty and menstruation on exercise.
– Eating disorders and eating disorder behavior are the biggest problems in endurance sports, especially for female athletes.
Bente Skari won Olympic gold and five world championships. Photo from 2003. AOP/EPA
In the working group’s opinion, women should be discussed with women about combining work and studies with playing sports, pregnancy during career and financial matters, so that women do not stop skiing at a young age.
There are 39 women and 45 men in the Norwegian cross country teams this season. In winter sports in general, the situation is more uneven, because According to NRK’s report there are four times more men than women at the top.
– Scary to hear. This trend needs to be taken into account and reversed, Johaug commented.