Katharina Hennig paused for weeks to be fit for the Nordic World Ski Championships. Now she is about to return and wants to cap off the best season of her career.
When Katharina Hennig returns to the World Cup in Dobbiaco this weekend, many eyes will be on her. Not only the German fans, but also the other athletes will be interested to see how the cross-country skier is doing after her three-week break – and how strong she is as a competitor for the medals at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica.
Hennig has worked hard to earn this status over the past few years. At least since the Olympic Games, she has become the face of German cross-country skiers. After gold (team sprint) and silver (relay) in Beijing, Hennig is now having what is probably the best season of her career.
Three World Cup podiums, more than 900 points – Hennig has never been so good
Third place in Ruka, second place in Lillehammer over 10 kilometers and the surprise victory at the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme over 15 kilometers – the first World Cup victory by a German cross-country skier since Claudia Nystad in 2009. Hennig won this season alone many World Cup podium finishes as in her entire career to date.
The strong performance was garnished with five other World Cup placements in the top ten. Even after the Tour de Ski it was clear that this season would be Hennig’s best in the World Cup. Twice in her career she was eleventh in the overall World Cup, and there has never been a single-digit result at the end of the season. She’s almost certain of that already.
Hennig before the Nordic World Ski Championships: everything on one card
But after the Tour de Ski, Hennig decided not to push forward, to let the top three go and put everything on one card: the Nordic World Ski Championships. She paused for weeks and missed two World Cup stops: first Livigno, then Les Rousses. “Three weeks of intensive training are now pending so that I can lay a good foundation for the World Championships in Planica“, the 26-year-old explained her decision in early January in the podcast “Ski happens”.
But also “to go for a walk” and “let your soul dangle“, were on the program. In this successful season of all times, she had had to deal with several illnesses. A corona infection in the hot phase of the pre-season, before the Tour de Ski and severe colds immediately afterwards. “Hopefully I’ve ticked everything off this winter“Henning said.
Zangs breaks for the increase in performance?
But maybe this forced load control was also beneficial for the performance of the cross-country skier. Recovered muscles for top performance in the races? Hennig would like to evaluate the experiences from this season. There will be the latest findings in Dobbiaco. Because then Hennig will return to the World Cup after a three-week break from competition.
The World Cup medal in focus
For the 26-year-old, the competitions in South Tyrol should be one thing above all: the dress rehearsal for the Nordic World Ski Championships, the highlight of the season. After Lahti, Seefeld and Oberstdorf, Planica is already the fourth world championship that Hennig is taking part in. However, she has never won a medal there.
A tenth place in the individual in Lahti and fourth place in the relay in Seefeld were her best results so far. That should change this winter – also because the career end of long-time cross-country skiing dominator Therese Johaug means that there is one more place on the podium. With rested muscles and plenty of self-confidence, the chances of another career best are good.