Shock: Helene Marie Fossesholm retires from cross-country skiing: “Following my heart”

Originally published in SVT Sport on October 07, 2025

Norwegian cross-country skier Helene Marie Fossesholm has announced that she is ending her elite skiing career. In a message posted on Instagram, the 24‑year‑old said her motivation has been up and down in recent months and that she has decided to stop competing.

Fossesholm broke through with her first World Cup podium in November 2020 and was once seen as a leading talent to succeed the generation of Marit Bjørgen and Therese Johaug. Despite mixed results in recent seasons, she appeared to be back on track this summer with a third place at Toppidrettsveka.

“Now another dream awaits me,” she wrote, adding that she will start medical school after Christmas and is looking forward to a different, more “normal” everyday life. “I choose to follow my heart and what’s best for me.”

Friends and rivals reacted to the news, with Sweden’s Jonna Sundling posting her support: “Good luck with whatever you take on. You’re awesome.”

The highlight of Fossesholm’s career was World Championship gold in the 2021 relay. She collected two individual World Cup podiums, both in the 2020/21 season.