Heidi Weng (NOR) certainly has good reason to head off to spring skiing. The 21-year-old capped her World Cup season with a third place in Saturday’s 10K classic mass start where she outsprinted classic specialist Justyna Kowalczyk for the podium and then finished fourth overall in the mini-tour in Falun that concluded the 2013 World Cup season.
“It has been an amazing season for me. I never thought it would be this good,” Weng says after the final race in Falun Sunday.
Looking back at the season Weng has a lot to smile about.
“All the way from the start in Kuusamo, and of course the World Championships, this has been an amazing season. But the 10km at the World Cup in Lahti is what I consider the best I’ve ever done to date,” Weng says.
“In Lahti, I was on the podium in an interval start distance event, and that was a huge victory for me,” she explains.
Weng credits all the supporters, and particularly her parents. They show up at as many races as they can, and there is no doubt when they do, as was the case in Falun this weekend.
“I could hear my dad all over the course. He was giving me splits and yelling a lot, and that’s super helpful,” Weng says with a laugh. “My mom was there too, and even my grandpa. I really appreciate all the support,” she adds.
The current season is barely over and lots of spring skiing still remains, but Weng is already thinking ahead. She has gotten fond of the podium, and she’s hungry for more.
“I am going to work hard, and take it up another notch next season. If I train a little harder and get a little stronger, a lot of things can happen,” Weng says.
And while the national team skiers are celebrating a season well done in Falun tonight, Weng is headed back home to celebrate Easter with her family.