PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Former skiing king Petter Northug paid tribute to the talent Alvar Myhlback after the talent’s third place in the Vasaloppet.
– Myhlback is like a hungry wolf that wants to go out and get better every day. If he succeeds in that, he will become a great skier.
Peter Northug, who is one of the world’s best skiers of all time, now focuses on the long races. Now he came in 18th place in the Vasaloppet.
Myhlback’s success
But after the finish, he had his thoughts on the 17-year-old talent Alvar Myhlbackwho set the tone for this year’s Vasalopp and came third.
– The fact that he can already withstand such races as today, in this one, for nine miles, shows that he is mentally strong, and is trained, very well trained, says Petter Northug and continues:
– He is a complete skier that the world has never seen before.
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Ahead of this year’s Vasaloppet, Alvar Myhlback talked about a dream to win both WC gold and the Vasaloppet in the same year.
– No one has probably done that. That would be the dream. But I need a few more years on my neck before I do that. I like to do things that no one else has done before, said Alvar Myhlback.
Northug pays homage
Petter Northug believes it can become a reality:
– He is the only one I see who can do it. Anything is possible as long as his name is Alvar Myhlback. As long as he has such dreams in his head and is willing to do the work, he can make it. After this winter’s gold in the JVM, Alvar Myhlback shows that he is a complete skier that the world has never seen before.
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What is most important for Alvar Myhlback to think about now?
– He must continue with what he is doing. Having a balance with exercise and rest. I think he has a good team and a father close to him. It is important in the years he is entering now. If he gets muscle growth and gains three, four kilos, he can get more financial support and thus become a better sprinter. Then he becomes impossible to hit.
When will Alvar Myhlback win the Vasaloppet?
– Within four years, answers Petter Northug.
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Myhlback smiles when he hears this from the Norwegian skiing king and replies:
– I have to hope that he is right. But I only have one year to become the youngest winner. So I have to do it next year.
He thinks of Ernst Alm, who was 21 years old when he won the Vasaloppet in 1922. So Myhlback has a few more years left than he himself thinks.
What do you think of Alvar Myhlback’s talent? Share the article and have your say!
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