PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Therese Johaug is registered for the Norwegian cross-country skiing championships.
Information is also expected soon if there will be an international comeback, with a view to next year’s WC in Trondheim. It is nothing that worries the Swedes.
– There are many who can beat her, says Maja Dahlqvist.
It has been two years Therese Johaug, in Falun, rode his last World Cup race. Then Johaug said that his career was over. After that, she has managed to release an autobiography, have children and get married, among other things.
But this winter, she has given more and more signals that a comeback could be on the way, with a view to next year’s WC on home soil.
Johaug’s return
She recently won a 17-kilometer race in Switzerland. Now she is also registered for Saturday’s three mile race during the Norwegian championships. It will be the first time she is seriously faced with qualified opposition since spring 2022.
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Johaug admits that it is a step on the way to a WC comeback.
– It’s a small step. I want to see how the form is at the moment, but I haven’t decided if it will be the WC in Trondheim yet, she says to NRK.
Tough comeback
While waiting for an announcement, the Swedish national team riders signal that the Norwegian will have a tough comeback.
– She would certainly do well in a five-mile race, but I think there are many others who can beat her, says Maja Dahlqvist.
Would a well-trained Therese Johaug have hung with Frida Karlsson when she recently broke free and won the five-mile in Holmenkollen?
– No, right now I don’t think so, says Dahlqvist.
Karlsson’s words
Frida Karlssonwho was completely superior in the World Cup five-mile in the Norwegian Holmenkollen at the beginning of the month, is on the same track.
– If I look at myself and look at my results and tests, I have raised my level. I know that everyone around me at the top has also raised their levels. Nowadays there is good competition and different winners in the races, says Karlsson.
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What would it mean if Johaug made a comeback?
– Interest would increase. I hope she comes back. It would be fun. We stand with open arms and wait. She is our old professional yardstick, says Frida Karlsson.
READ MORE: Linn Svahn and Frida Karlsson now reveal the secret to the Swedish people: “It’s only me who does it”
Important for Norway
Maja Dahlqvist believes that a comeback for Johaug would mean more for the Norwegian national team than for skiing as a whole. The Norwegian ladies have not won a single distance race this winter.
– It might be good for Norway. They have had a worse year, she says.
The Norwegian national team skier Astrid Øyre Slind confirms that it would be of great importance to the Norwegian women’s team.
– For Norway, it would be big. It is important that we now come back as a team, says Slind.
What do you think of a comeback for Johaug? Share the article and have your say!
Born: 25 June 1988 (age 35).
Main merits: 4 Olympic golds, 14 World Cup golds, 82 World Cup victories. Has won the overall World Cup three times (2014, 2016, 2022).
Current: Make a comeback in the Norwegian championships in connection with Saturday’s three mile race.
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