Therese Johaug has opened the door for a sensational comeback.
Now a Swede points out a detail – which should make Swedish stars tremble.
– It could be the crowning glory, says Torbjörn Nordvall.
Therese Johaug ended her career last year after completely slaughtering all opposition in the Olympics. An individual Olympic gold was the only thing Johaug claimed from her unparalleled career as a cross-country skier, and in her very last major championship she won three.
Open for comeback
Johaug has since become the mother of a daughter, Kristine, and in the first championship without Johaug, it was a total Swedish success, with Ebba Andersson as the great WC queen. But this week came the shock news: In a new interview with NRK, Johaug opened up about a comeback, when she admitted that she has started training properly again. The sights seem set on the World Ski Championships in Trondheim in 2025.
Nothing is clear or certain yet, but one person who is not surprised no matter what is Torbjörn Nordvall. The Swede has previously been press manager for the Swedish national team, and is now press contact for several Swedish cross-country skiers. He is also a columnist for Norwegian Nettavisen, and already in July he wrote there about how he thinks a comeback for Johaug is lurking around the corner.
– It’s because Therese has incredible energy, will to fight and joy of skiing. She has expressed that several times, he tells Nettavisen.
READ MORE: WC gold hero Ebba Andersson’s clear goal for the winter – now gives the message that everyone is wondering about: “I want it”
Pointing out the detail
Torbjörn Nordvall believes that it is logical that the bet is on Trondheim WC 2025, considering where Johaug actually comes from.
– To be able to do the last thing as a top athlete in Trondheim, not far from where she is, I think that is something she wishes to experience in her career, he says.
Torbjörn Nordvall also issues a warning to Swedish stars such as Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson. Johaug has had hiatus earlier in her career, and it ended with total dominance when she returned.
– When she came back she was better than she had ever been before. It was amazing how good she was. I think Therese thinks, if she is healthy and motivated, that the WC in Trondheim would have been the crowning glory. Not just for her, but for the whole of skiing Norway, he says.
READ MORE: Ebba Andersson and Jonna Sundling’s honest confession about Therese Johaug’s comeback: “Not surprised”