– Unfortunately, there will be no biathlon flashers here, but there will be stands. 12,000. 18 meters high at the rear. But I’m going to go here, I’ll give the cat in if it’s 18 metres, says Didrik Tønseth. He is standing in the middle of the cross-country stadium in Granåsen, pointing and explaining how it will be during the World Ski Championships. A WC which, for his part, to the highest degree will take place on his home turf. The 33-year-old lives only 500 meters from the car park in the WC facility. The championship has been the big goal for a number of years. But unfortunately for Tønseth, the most symbolic act he does this day is tottering over an icy puddle. – Very far away from the WC Well four months before dreams are to come true, he is on thin ice. ON THE GLATTICE: Didrik Tønseth. Photo: Anders Skjerdingstad / news – Right now I’m in a really bad place. Now I’m very far away from the WC, he says bluntly. A month ago it looked very bright. The training work went smoothly throughout the summer. Among other things, Tønseth had plans to demonstrate this during the NM cross-country race in Oslo last weekend. – I was actually in very good shape in September. Running form was actually a bit of an “all time high”, he says. Then he went to the national team meeting in Torsby. A couple of days after returning home, something happened. – Someone had to lay down – I suddenly had a high fever and barely got out of bed. It was a bacteria called mycoplasma. It goes straight into the lungs. And it’s not that favorable, says Tønseth. – Did you think then and there that “now the World Cup is coming”? – I was excited. Some have contracted mycoplasma and had to be laid up, while others have recovered quickly. So you find all stories. You have most about those who have not returned. But I have faith. For so long. There were ten days without training. It is a lot for an endurance athlete less than two months before the start of the season. – I can’t afford many more days of illness, says Tønseth. He is training again, although he has not pushed his body hard yet. At the same time, he does not hide that his form is noticeably worse than it was before the illness. DRAUMAR STORT: Didrik Tønseth came sixth in the 10 km classic during the trial WC. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Nossum announces NM chance That is why he is a little worried. Because it’s not just about getting in shape for the WC. It’s about getting in shape for the qualifying race. This means that he must preferably be fit for the season opener at Beitostølen in a month’s time. – There are three 10 kilometer classics. One goes to Beitostølen and one goes to Ruka, says Tønseth. The race he is talking about comprises the first two weekends of the cross-country season. After that, it only says that one 10 km classic, the practice Tønseth would most like to go to the WC. The NM will be the last opportunity to convince the national team management, just before the final WC selection. National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum believes that Tønseth still does not need to stress yet. – 10 km classic in the NM is going to be extremely important. I am quite sure that there are two places at stake during the NM. At least one, he says. And Tønseth has no intention of giving up, even if he realizes that he would hardly have been there if the team were to be withdrawn before the season. IN PROGRESS: Didrik Tønseth is back in training. Photo: Anders Skjerdingstad / news “Daudsjuk” Simen Hegstad Krüger has a free place as title defender. Tønseth believes that Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Erik Valnes, Pål Golberg and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget are most likely to be Nossum’s chosen ones. – Can you imagine not going to the WC here? – Yes, when I was “deathly ill” three weeks ago, I thought about it. But you have a plan to succeed, so you can take the downturn when it comes, says Tønseth. – Have you thought about what you will do if you do not qualify? – No, I haven’t bothered to think about him. But it is a trade-off if you are going to be here. I have to try to make sure I get here. That is the first. Published 17.10.2024, at 07.10
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Didrik Tønseth was spotted with bacteria before the World Cup at home – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
