Speculation about Therese Johaug has circulated for a long time.
Now comes new news in Norway that should make the Swedes tremble.
– It is Norway’s worst kept secret right now, ski expert Petter Soleng Skinstad told Dagbladet.
It has been almost two years since Therese Johaug left cross-country skiing as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Since then, she has become a mother for the first time and also married her Nils Jakob Hoff.
Johaug’s comeback
She has also been seen a lot on Norwegian television as a skiing expert on NRK. But the rumor that she will return to the ski slopes is still alive and well.
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Since Johaug retired, we have seen several skiers make up for the vacant throne as skiing queen. Ebba Andersson impressed the most during the 2023 World Ski Championships and Frida Karlsson won the Tour de Ski last year but this year it has been Jessie Diggins which impressed the most.
The American won both the Tour de Ski and leads the overall World Cup by a good margin right now. But if Johaug were to return again, it would be sweaty for all world skiers.
“Worst kept secret”
The only thing that would make the Norwegian return is precisely the 2025 World Ski Championships on home ground in Trondheim.
– It is clear that it would have helped raise interest in the championship, and it would have also led to the duel between Norway and Sweden – and perhaps also a duel against Jessie Diggins, who is the world’s best skier at the moment, says the TV2 expert Petter Soleng Skinstad to the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.
– If there is anyone who hopes that she will make a comeback, it is probably Åge and the gang.
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Åge Skinstad is the WC manager for the upcoming championship in Norway and the father of the skiing expert. Of course, a Johaug on the starting field had increased interest like an avalanche.
– We have many good skiers, both Norwegian and foreign, but there is no doubt that it would have been incredibly fun to make a comeback, admits the head of the ski WC to the newspaper.
– As I understand it, she has trained well, but Therese has completed a slightly smaller amount than when she was active. Marit Björgen showed that it is possible to come back after giving birth. At the same time, many things must be right. She has her own business and family life, which must be reconciled with a potential venture. Therese must figure it out together with her family. I think there will be a decision pretty soon.
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Son Petter Soleng Skinstad now comes with new information about Johaug’s form that scares all competitors.
– As fast as Therese has been skiing the times I have met her in training at lake Sjusjöen, her form is in any case fine. And I know she likes to stay in shape, whether she’s going to bet or not. Physically, she is in good shape. I don’t know the exact details of whether or not she’ll bet, so it’s just speculation on my part. But I think it is Norway’s worst kept secret that she is strongly considering a comeback, says the ski expert to Dagbladet and is asked if she could still assert herself in the world elite.
– It will not be more demanding now than before. But asserting yourself in the elite requires insanely good training and extremely tough priorities. If she is willing to do the work, there is nothing to say that she cannot fight for WC gold already in Trondheim 2025.
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