23-year-old Astrid Jacobsen Urenholdt became surprising sprint World champion in Sapporo 2007. However, since then most have gone wrong for the talented Norwegian. Now, it looks brighter - and Astrid, who lives almost next door to Holmenkollen, dreams of new medals.
The worst it was last year when Astrid crashed on the mountain bike during a squad training camp and broke a bone in her back and injured herself in several places. This year in spring she has had problems with one shoulder, which was injured after the fall when returning from Holmenkollen. But now she is healthy and carries out workout as planned with the national team training camp in Livigno Italy, where the team moved after several days in the high altitude camp of Seiser Alm.
"World Champs on the home ground is the biggest goal. To me World Cup actually means nothing at all" she said to Norwegian newspaper. "An individual medal would be great. I am an optimist, but if you look at now you would not probably count me as one of the medal favorites" quotes Jacobsen. "You know, I train really quietly. And I am careful so that my pulse is not too high. Then the others would rather run away from me" she explained. Norwegian ladies' national coach Egil Kristiansen told the newspaper that Astrid looks very healthy and happy and he thinks it looks promising for the winter. And of course it would be a great gift for Norwegians if Astrid Jacobsen would win a medal. Last but not least she grew up next to Holmenkollen.
