Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, 35, will not participate in the season-opening cross-country event in Beitostølen.
This weekend, Norway’s cross-country elite will gather in Beitostølen. A fierce battle awaits for spots on the Norwegian national team, as athletes aim to secure places for the World Cup season and the upcoming
Winter Olympics.
One of the most high-profile names will be absent, reports Norwegian TV 2.
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg is one of Norway’s most accomplished skiers. She won five medals in five starts at the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld and also has an individual Olympic silver, golds in both the sprint and relay at the Olympics, and an overall victory in the Tour de Ski.
Østberg, who has finished on the World Cup podium 73 times, has not competed since spring 2023 but is still aiming for a return to the top.
In recent years, she has not received the health clearance required for competition. In an interview with VG last year, Østberg openly stated that she needs to gain weight.
Having spoken about underweight and an unspecified eating disorder, Østberg was forced into her first competitive break in 2019.
She later fought back to top form and skied a decisive leg as Norway won relay gold at the 2023 World Championships in Planica – but she also raced her most recent event that same spring.
The Norwegian season opener, Beitosprinten, will start without Østberg on Friday. Over the same weekend, competitions will also take place in Finland with the Ruka Suomen Cup and in Sweden with the Gällivarepremiären.
See also: Beitosprinten 2025 – Schedule & Participants
Sources:
TV 2,
VG 
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