– What Petter and Petter say, I’m not going to lie down. They should be allowed to say exactly what they think. I can understand that, Fossesholm tells news. Petter Northug and Petter Skinstad went hard in VG against the low participation from the women’s national team during the Blink Festival in Sandnes last week. The message from the cross-country legend after only one out of eleven started the 52 kilometer long “Blink Classics” race was clear: – We must have the best to profile cross-country skiing in the summer. When we have the Blinkfestivalen, which they have arranged, it will be broadcast in prime time, then the national team must demand that more runners line up at the start. It’s too bad, Northug said. – It would be stupid Helene Marie Fossesholm was among the athletes who were not present. She would have liked to have taken part, but has prioritized getting her body in shape after the high bar last autumn. The 21-year-old is very satisfied with the response she has received from training in July, but at the same time she did not feel ready to “give it her all” on roller skis. – We each have different reasons why we don’t bet on everything. I had four months without hard sessions from mid-February to mid-June, and have taken it gradually. It was stupid for me to clink with full breasts on Blinken, says the 21-year-old. LOOKING AHEAD: Helene Marie Fossesholm at Sjusjøen on Monday. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news Five of eleven in the squad for the women’s team took part in the Blink Festival, which eventually became one of eleven before Blink Classics. Anne Kjersti Kalvå, Ane Appelkvist Stenseth, Anna Svendsen, Julie Myhre and Mathilde Myhrvold stood together with Fossesholm over the competition in Sandnes. Heidi Weng gave up after the first race on Wednesday, after struggling with a concussion. – Used to “bullshit” – Do you feel good? asks news after the criticism from Northug and Skinstad. – I love to compete and so does the whole gang. If you’re not on the “blink” and top sports week, there’s always a reason for it. I would have liked to have been there, but I have to take it step by step, replies Fossesholm. It is not the first time this year that the Norwegian cross-country women have received criticism. It has been 46 years since Norway had as few medal winners on the women’s side as they had in China. Fossesholm had to break the Tour de Ski before the last race and had a disappointing Olympics. – How do they react to negative posts. Will they be affected? – No, we are starting to get used to these negative reports. We have to try to bite the bullet until winter, the results speak for themselves. – We are in an underdog position, but we will try to take advantage of that. We are very motivated. We are used to a bit of “bullshit” about Norwegian women’s cross country. There will be no end to it, says Fossesholm. Before the coming season, Sjur Ole Svarstad and Stig Rune Kveen have come in as head and assistant coaches for the women’s team. – There are two very good coaches. They are really motivated to take on and make us better. I think it will be good, says Fossesholm. PS! Helene Marie Fossesholm and the rest of Norway’s cross-country elite on the women’s side are expected at the Top Sports Week at the end of August.
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