The World Cup opener in Yongpyong is in the bag. It was a journey into the unknown on a new course that had a very special energy thanks to its Olympic history. From a sporting perspective, however, I’m returning from South Korea with mixed feelings.
I’m being honest with myself: 29th place in the short track and 15th in the cross-country do not meet the expectations I had for this World Cup opener. I travelled to Korea feeling confident. Mainly because the warm-up races had gone well and I’d managed to finish on the podium twice as the winner. I was determined to take that momentum with me to Korea.
A setback I’m putting into perspective
Friday’s short track race was intense – an extremely fast race with dust constantly in the air. Under these conditions, an issue has resurfaced that I had thought I’d put behind me after the preparatory races: my breathing.
I’ll have to keep working on it and find a way to manage it. Conditions like these will continue to be part of certain races in the future. Burying my head in the sand isn’t an option. Literally! 😉
The search for the flow
The main race on Sunday was followed by rain – actually the sort of conditions I like and in which I can play to my strengths. So I was really looking forward to the race. At the same time, Friday’s short-track race was still fresh in my mind and had dented my confidence. I know I’m strong in wet conditions – yet there were still certain doubts I couldn’t quite shake off.
Once the race got underway, the following picture emerged: I never really got into my stride and was rarely in a position to play an active part in shaping the race or really put the pressure on. Looking back, it was probably precisely this self-confidence that was lacking to assert myself under these conditions – whether it was finding the right gaps in the early stages or, later on the climbs, having the ‘instinct’ for where to get the best traction to cover as much ground as possible. I was noticeably tense on the descents too – and that’s exactly what’s fatal in a race where it’s all about finding your flow.
I have to say quite clearly: I can do better than that!
Nevertheless, it was a very unusual race. I’ve never had to run so much in a race in my entire career. Not even in the past. Not even in cyclocross! I wouldn’t have thought that a course could change so much after just one night of rain. I’m very surprised that this wasn’t anticipated.
It’s not the weather, but how the ground conditions develop. But that’s what happens when a race has never been held on a course before. Of course, it would have had to rain to reach that conclusion. I do hope, however, that the race will take place again next year and that the climbs will be prepared in such a way that they are rideable even in the rain. Because the route is very well designed – including the profile. It was selective and completely bucked the trend we saw on every World Cup course in 2025, which I found very positive.
Looking ahead
I try not to place too much emphasis on the results. At the same time, I’m taking the positive feeling from the weeks leading up to it with me – that was the result of good races and good performance in training. That’s exactly what I want to focus on.
In a few days, I’ll be heading to Nove Mesto for the first European World Cup. My aim is to line up at the start there feeling positive again – even though I’ve been battling a cold over the last few days.
Thank you for your support, even when things don’t go to plan. It means a lot to me!
Yours, Math
