The Norwegian Pro Team athlete and one of Team Eksjöhus’ many strong women, Magni Smedås, has been navigating a challenging period. After battling a persistent cold, she now faces sleep issues and an imbalanced physical condition. Despite these setbacks, she maintains an impressively positive attitude. During the Bad Gastein weekend races, her skis played a decisive role.

“I’m very happy with yesterday. It felt great,” Smedås shared on Sunday with a smile. But she admits it hasn’t been all smooth sailing: “Today wasn’t as good, but that’s just how it’s been these past months,” she added.

Is the World Championship Dream Still Alive?

Smedås has previously expressed her ambition to compete for Norway in the World Championships. Leading up to the Ski Classics Pro Tour premiere, she focused on traditional cross-country ski racing at home in Norway. Unfortunately, her results haven’t been favorable. With the tough competition in Norway, her results weren’t enough to secure a World Cup spot.

Read More: Can Smedås make it to the World Championships – or will it be Ski Classics?

During a press conference ahead of the Bad Gastein races, Smedås revealed that her struggles might be related to her nervous system.

“It’s been ongoing since October and started after a cold. Ever since, I’ve had trouble falling and staying asleep, and my heart rate has been very high. I’ve tried some medication and alternative methods to calm down. My body is telling me not to push too hard right now,” she says.

Competing at 1,600 meters in Sport Gastein, she’s noticed that her body isn’t responding as it usually would. Despite careful preparation and attempts to restore balance, the high altitude and lack of sleep have negatively impacted her performance.

“With the resting heart rate at altitude and the pulse variations that come with it, it takes a greater toll,” she explained. Despite the challenges, she managed a performance described as “not a disaster, not the best, but pretty okay.”

Skis Saved the Weekend

“We had really great skis, and they saved me,” she said gratefully. In the demanding competition environment at Sport Gastein, with its altitude and challenging weather, they became a crucial factor in helping her complete the race weekend.

Sleeplessness, however, remains a hurdle. She described restless nights and shallow sleep.

“I wake up very easily, use the bathroom constantly, and feel incredibly restless. Last night, I lay awake listening to the snow groomer outside,” she shared with Langd.se. Despite these difficulties, she remains optimistic, believing things will improve with time.

With Christmas approaching, she’s looking forward to a much-needed rest to return even stronger.

“I’m planning to build on the Christmas break now, and we’ll see what it leads to,” she concluded with a smile.

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