Tiril Eckhoff will miss the first start of the upcoming season

The winner of the big crystal globe for the season 2020/2021 in the Biathlon World Cup, Tiril Eckhoff, will miss the start of the upcoming season 2022/2023. The reason is the poor preparation that the Norwegian carried out after suffering from COVID-19 at the end of the last campaign.

“There was a period after she came down with COVID-19 that was difficult for her in terms of sleeping and breathing. Together with the coaches and the medical team, we have assessed that she is not yet ready to return to competition”, said Norwegian women’s national team head coach. “For the moment, the situation is not experienced. We are constantly monitoring it with an eye to the future”, he added.

Last season, Tiril Eckhoff finished just 11th in the overall World Cup standings after managing just three wins, including two in the final round of the campaign, which took place in Oslo-Holmenkollen. At the Olympic Games in Beijing, she won a gold medal in the mixed relay of Norway, silver in the mass start and bronze in the pursuit.

The new World Cup season starts in three weeks with a total of four starts for both genders in the Finnish winter center of Kontiolahti. Competitions in the individual, sprint and pursuit disciplines, as well as classic relays, will be held there.