Cross-country superstar Heidi Weng suffers. Struggles to get in shape for the upcoming Nordic ski winter. But the already tough training has become a total torture for the Norwegian. Ever since suffering a concussion, Weng has been plagued by constant headaches.
“I have to deal with constant headaches every day,” quotes “Ski Nordique” the 31-year-old: “I have to take daily breaks and be alone.” The constant pain is the result of a fall in March 2022. Weng slipped on a sheet of ice, hit his head and suffered a severe concussion.
Cross-country skier Heidi Weng “has to live with my complaints”
Since then, she has had to “do absolutely more” in preparation for the season and “do my best to forget the consequences”. She spoke to her family, doctors and trainers about the problem and her symptoms, and nobody had a miracle solution. “I will have to live with my complaints and try my best,” said the five-time relay world champion.
Weng has big goals. She has won the overall World Cup twice in her career (2016/17, 2017/18), she is still missing the big individual triumph, in 2014 she was enough for bronze in the skiathlon over 15 kilometers in Sochi. Weng has the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan in mind – but that’s just causing problems. “Parties and social life are hard for me, just like driving a car. I always have to rest afterwards and above all have peace of mind,” says the cross-country skier. The situation remains tough, “but I have to live my everyday life as normally as possible, give everything in training, then rest and wait for better days while keeping my spirits up.”
In the spring, she trained a lot and achieved good results, Weng said. “I’m pretty proud of myself. But I still have difficulties to contend with.”