– It has been a very difficult year for me, says Kowalczyk-Tekieli to news after winning the women’s class in “Rampa con i campioni”, the exercise race that is held every year on the slalom hill where the Tour de Ski is decided. The 40-year-old from Poland has had many ups and downs on the cross-country trail, and has, among other things, won the Tour de Ski four times. But 2023 was a very tough year. On 17 May, her husband Kacper Tekieli was taken by an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. The mountain climber lost his life in the accident. Traveling around with her son At the age of 40, Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli became a widow and single mother to her son Hugo, whom the couple had in 2021. WINNER’S SKULL: Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli feels best in the middle when the victory photos are to be taken. Photo: Anders Skjerdingstad / news – I fight for a normal life. That is what I am trying to achieve, she says to news. It’s getting a little better, she says. Kowalczyk-Tekieli has currently chosen not to work. Instead, she collects experiences with her son. – We travel around, ski and hike in the mountains, says Kowalczyk-Tekieli. In Sunday’s race, she should also have met her old rival, Marit Bjørgen. But the Viaplay expert has struggled with illness over Christmas and did not start. – If I had been given a starting number, I would have pushed myself a little too hard, she says. LEGEND: Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli won the Tour de Ski a total of four times. She has WC and Olympic gold. Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE / Afp Bjørgen: – It really hurt Bjørgen expressed strong sympathy for Kowalczyk-Tekieli to news. – It is brutal that life changes so suddenly, and you lose the lover you have and the father of your child. It is natural that it takes time to get back to normal, she says to news. FEELING WITH THE RIVAL: Marit Bjørgen. Photo: Anders Skjerdingstad / news Bjørgen is herself the mother of two sons, and felt it when the news of Kacper Tekieli’s death came nine months ago. – I was really hurt when I saw it happen. I think of both her, and the son who loses his dad and the safe environment. Life is turned upside down in a small moment Kowalczyk-Tekieli thinks that the duel in the monster hill was canceled. – Because with Marit it would have been harder, she says – and laughs. – How do you feel? – I’m not bad among the amateurs, I’m a good amateur. But this is not good form for great skiing, acknowledges the Polish cross-country legend.
ttn-69
– Fighting for a normal life – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
