Speed skier Kajsa Kling has made the decision to take a break from competition after developing depression.  The Swede wants to focus on her own health.

When it began to approach the start of the World Cup season, Kling, after consulting with physicians, coaches and family, decided to postpone the start of her racing season in order to get support and help feeling better.

“I’m not well, and then I need to be able to disconnect the mental stress it means to compete. I just want to focus on myself to move on,” said Kling

No matter what the depression is, it is a healthy decision to take a break from the competition, according to the national team physician Per Liljeholm.

“Depression as a disease can cause a variety of symptoms, such as drowsiness and so on, but also reduced focus and ability to concentrate, and of course, it is not good if you are going skiing at high speeds,” continues Liljeholm.

The pace of the racing season would not help Kling in her recovery, so the decision is obvious.

Kling wants peace and quiet, but she also points out that she is not down in a total darkness.

“It’s not that I feel bad every day, but it’s more that it’s a heavy period in life and that I need to focus on the right things,” Kajsa said. “Now it’s most important that I put my own health first and foremost. Then we’ll see how long it takes before I’m doing well again and it’s only when I get back to skiing.”

Release courtesy of the Swedish Ski Association