Alpine Skiing

Ready for gold – Heidi Weng

Getting personal: Three things you didn’t know about rising cross-country star Heidi Weng.
Written by Riikka Rakic
3 min readPublished on
Portrait of cross-country skier Heidi Weng in Spindleruv Mlyn

Heidi Weng

© Dan Vojtech/Red Bull Content Pool

At 23, Heidi Weng is ready to win. She’s had the best season start in her career scoring four World Cup podium finishes by Christmas. There’s just one thing missing: an individual victory at the top level.
Now she wants to fight for victory in the Tour de Ski, the stage race held from January 3-11. Winning the Tour is one of the most coveted titles in cross-country skiing nowadays.
“I’ve always liked competing. And I hate losing,” says the petite skier, who’s been one of the biggest female talents since she collected five medals at the junior worlds.
Heidi Weng skis down a slope, wearing a bright red ski suit and goggles, and flanked by the tips of young alpine trees.

Heidi Weng - always going for gold

© Red Bull Content Pool

Heidi won bronze in Russia last year, and two medals at her first senior world champs in 2013. Last summer she worked hard on her skating technique and early season results show that she’s now a force to reckon with in any race.
But who is Heidi Weng? Here are three things that you probably never knew of the skiing sensation from near Oslo, Norway:
1. She likes to sleep half of the day
Heidi confesses that she is someone who appreciates a good, long sleep. She believes she’s the one needing the most sleep among her teammates.
“I sleep at least 10 hours a night, and then take a two-hour nap in the afternoon,” she says, admitting that half a day’s sleep is the way to go for her.
Cross-country skiers Heidi Weng, Marit Bjøergen and Therese Johaug.

Marit Bjøergen, Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng

© Nisse SCHMIDT/AGENCE ZOOM

2. Her sister is her biggest role model
Heidi’s family has always meant much for her. She grew up participating in many sports and first stood on skis when she was only 16-months-old. Her grandmother took her ski touring when she was three and the importance of her family continues in her life.
Although she currently trains with the best in the world – the likes of Marit Bjoergen and Therese Johaug – it is her older sister Merete, 26, who she looks up to most.
“My sister is my biggest role model for me. She is so kind-hearted – helping and supporting everyone all the time. She never says no, which is something I really admire in her.”
Heidi Weng in action in Spindleruv Mlyn 2013

Heidi Weng in action in Spindleruv Mlyn 2013

© Dan Vojtech / Red Bull Content Pool

3. She believes fairness is fundamental
Most of us know Heidi as shy and smiling. But Heidi is a young woman with a big heart. She gets very upset when she sees basic human values such as fairness and dignity disrespected. For example, seeing old fragile people being treated like ‘things’ at care homes is something that really triggers her.
If there is one thing that sets Heidi apart, it is her determination to ski faster. She spares no effort to get to the very top; even her national team coaches view her as the one with the greatest focus on the sport in the entire team.
Heidi Weng may be young but she’s dedicated and clearly destined for success – watch her at the ongoing Tour de Ski!
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