Scherz targets distance progress as World Cup season nears

Magdalena Scherz is fit and optimistic ahead of the cross-country skiing World Cup, which begins in two weeks, ORF Burgenland reported. The skier from Bruckneudorf in the Neusiedl am See district is completing the final phase of her preparation.

Scherz is training in Finland and will compete in smaller test events this weekend. She has focused on sprinting, her strongest discipline, but plans to enter more distance races and improve in them. Her World Cup season will begin with sprint events in Ruka, Finland.

She said her preparation had gone well overall, although she had some health problems in September. Training went well again in late October and November, she said.

Last winter’s highlights included competing at the Olympics and earning top-ten World Cup results. Her planned main goal this season is the World Championships in Falun, Sweden. She said she first wants to qualify, stay healthy and perform well.