Rumor has it that Therese Johaug trains well. But is she training so well that she is aiming for the ski WC in Trondheim next year?
– I think she has asked herself many questions. I have no idea what she’s gotten herself into, says Nettavisen’s cross-country skiing expertErnst A. Lersveen, to Dagbladet.
EXPERT: Ernst A Lersveen worked for many years in TV 2. Today he is Nettavisen’s hard-hitting cross-country expert. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Show more
Now Johaug confirms this status to NRK:
– I get daily questions about that. Now my husband, as they say, has started to ask too.
– What do you answer the man?
– I’m still unsure. I’ve been training well lately, so at least I’m getting in shape.
THE WORLD IS WONDERING: – My husband has started asking, says Therese Johaug about a possible comeback. Photo: Ole Martin Wold / NTB Show more
On Monday, the big news in the Norwegian sports press was that Petter Northug (38) is going to participate in the Trondheim WC. That ball was more or less laid dead.
If the veteran Trønder is to participate, he must qualify. Most people consider it unlikely that the 38-year-old will manage.
Lersveen has come up with a proposal to give him a free place on the 50-kilometer – under certain conditions. If he does not feel good enough around the last withdrawal, he should give up the place.
STRONG PERFORMANCE: Petter Northug came second in the Norwegian Cup at Nes on Sunday. Photo: Claes-Tommy Herland / Norwegian Ski Association / NTB Show more
– If Johaug wants to go to the WC, then she qualifies. It’s a piece of cake. It is not for Northug. And that is the difference, says Lersveen to Dagbladet.
– What do you think: Will Johaug take part in the WC?
– She is in good training. I think it depends on whether she thinks it’s worth it, Lersveen points out.
– The chance is zero
– Her world is so simple that if she chooses to bet, she goes. She does not bother to do it halfway and come home with second or third place from the WC. Then it’s a wasted year. That’s her thing. There are no barriers to being able to start. She will definitely qualify. She will definitely be able to walk the distances she wants, says the former TV 2 profile.
– There are no obstacles. It is up to Johaug himself. It is not for Northug.
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There is reason to believe that Johaug will train well throughout the spring and summer. When autumn comes, it is easier to settle a status.
Those who profit the most from the Northug and Johaug speculations are the WC organizer in Trondheim. While the sport of cross-country skiing has traditionally boiled over with profiles, it looks worse today. Include the TV numbers – and the sport has challenges.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Norwegian cross-country skiers are ready for the Tour de Ski. The athletes miss the former TV 2 profile Ernst A. Lersveen. And Kristine Stavå’s Skistad’s mysterious maneuver is causing a stir. Video: Løkås/Haarstad. Clip: NRK Show more
Lersveen still believes it is possible to recreate the World Cup party from 1997 in Trondheim.
– Yes I believe. This reminds me a bit of how it was before the Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994. It didn’t boil exactly a year before that either. But suddenly it exploded. I am quite convinced that it will be a folk festival – with or without Petter Northug, he says.