- I have not run a fast pass yet so it is not relevant to run the World Cup next week, von Krusenstierna says to the Orienteering Association.

The 24-year-old began to have problems as early as November, but it took months before it was established that he had a stress fracture.

- Then it felt like I had wasted two months trying to run because no one thought it was a stress fracture, von Krusenstierna says.

The stress fracture has healed, but shortly after he started training again, he had problems with one knee and the season debut is delayed.

The Sprint WC in Denmark is just over a month away and von Krusenstierna hopes to be ready to start.

With the World Cup gold last year, he has a free place.

- The World Cup will probably be my first competition.

I would have liked to have run the World Cup, but now I just like the situation.