When the Biathlon World Cup starts in Oberhof today, it will be the first time in 11 years that Tiril Eckhoff is not in the Norwegian squad. – It’s a bit strange. At the same time, I am looking forward to watching as well, and watching the dissemination of the sport that I am so fond of, says Eckhoff. The Fossum runner has not competed since the victories in the sprint and pursuit start in the World Cup final in Holmenkollen in March last year. – I’m in decent shape, actually. But I’m not in the shape I should be if I were to ski, says the biathlon star. She has stayed out of the limelight, but news gets to meet her in Oslo to reminisce about the WC in Pokljuka two years ago, where she became the clear-cut WC queen, with four golds, a silver and a bronze. And to hear what she thinks about the future now. WC QUEEN: Tiril Eckhoff poses with the medal collection in the WC in 2021. – It is a short-lived status, she says of the title. Photo: Primoz Lovric / NTB At least she does not see returning this season as very relevant. – That probably won’t happen, confirms Eckhoff. – How would you describe the break you have had from competition? – It has been a bit divided. In the beginning, it was really quite tough to watch biathlon on TV. That’s actually what I most wanted to do. But now it has dawned on me that it’s fine to sit at home and watch my teammates do well. It’s also inspiring. – A shadow of herself After the Olympics in Beijing, where Eckhoff won gold, silver and bronze, she decided after a short pause to think further to continue as a biathlete. But the summer and autumn did not go as planned, the 32-year-old was tired. PREVIOUS MEDAL: Tiril Eckhoff took silver on the last day of the Olympics in Beijing, in the joint start. Photo: TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP In November, the Norwegian Ski Association sent out a press release in which they wrote that “Eckhoff has not been feeling well”, and that she was out indefinitely. – It started with Covid, then I developed a bit of each of sleep problems and various other things. I have received good health care and been well followed up, but have found that there is nothing to ski on, she says. The problems with sleep are one of the things she states as the worst. – It’s something I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to struggle with right away. Now she instead goes on long ski trips in the fields and trains a lot. – It’s a bit strange that I don’t have the energy I need. At least when I’ve always been a bundle of energy, it’s a bit strange to be a shadow of myself. Uncertain future She praises national team coaches Sverre Huber-Kaas and Patrick Oberegger for the way they have followed her up along the way. Eckhoff believes the health situation is improving. ON TOP: Tiril Eckhoff ended last season with a double win at home. Since then she has not competed. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB – Things are going well now. But I am still being followed up by a doctor and getting help there. It’s still a bit demanding, so I really have to take it one day at a time, she admits. Biathlon still means a lot to Eckhoff. Still, she doesn’t know if she’ll return to the sport she loves. – I am very unsure. I’m a bit in the thinking box, since I’ve struggled so much with my health. I’m still mulling over what I’m going to do, whether I can bear to take another season, or whether I’m going to “call it a day”. – What are the weights for? – The point is that it’s a fantastic sport and it’s a lot of fun to be on a trip and travel and be in good shape. – What does it weigh against? – It is that job that must be closed. There are tens of hours of training, diet, everything. I have experienced almost everything as a top athlete. And I must have all the motivation to put in the effort needed. And I know how much that effort is, replies Eckhoff. The Fossum runner assumes that she will make the decision after this season. GOOD RELATIONSHIP: Coach Patrick Oberegger. Photo: Hanne Skjellum – Tiril has all the talent, both as a biathlete and as a person, to invest further. But it is Tiril who decides which direction to go, and we, both the support apparatus and the Norwegian Biathlon Union, support her in all possible areas, says Oberegger. – We don’t want to pressure her at all, she has to decide if she has the motivation and joy to continue, the coach continues. – I was happy In the past year, Eckhoff has learned to take care of the good things she experiences, such as skiing in good weather or a good dinner. To enjoy the moments along the way, Eckhoff does not feel she has been good enough. – There are so many small moments that are good, but then you take them for granted. There are many raw experiences I have had, for which I have not been grateful. – Why? AT THE TOP: – When you are in the biathlon bubble, one thing is important, and that is biathlon. Then you are moved, says Eckhoff about the sprint gold two years ago. Photo: Primoz Lovric / NTB – Because I am so stressed that there is always something more to happen. Not enjoying the moment. You kind of forget how good those experiences are. But Eckhoff still remembers how nice it was to claim the favorite stamp in the WC two years ago. After the first gold in the sprint, the tears came in an interview with news. – There is a lot of emotion in biathlon, and a lot of pressure and stress. And then it is always liberating to reach the finish line and do well, she says of the reaction. – What was it like to see yourself in retrospect? – Now I think “my lord, maybe I didn’t need to laugh”. But that’s me and I was happy.
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