Injury concerns for Norway’s cross-country stars on the eve of the season

Norway’s leading cross-country skiers are dealing with injury issues just as the new season approaches.

According to the Norwegian Ski Federation on Thursday, both Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Astrid Øyre Slind are questionable for Norway’s season-opening races in Beitostølen this weekend.

Nyenget, 33, who finished ninth overall in the men’s World Cup last season, was injured during training last weekend. He had hoped to be ready for Beitostølen, but the outlook did not appear promising by Thursday. The Beitostølen program features a sprint on Friday, followed by 10 km races on Saturday and Sunday.

Slind, 37, injured her Achilles tendon in the summer and recently suffered a setback in her recovery. Last season she placed fourth overall in the women’s World Cup, just behind third-placed Kerttu Niskanen.

The Cross-Country World Cup kicks off at the end of November in Ruka (Kuusamo), Finland.