The Swedish national team skiers believe that Norway’s Therese Johaug, who is returning to compete at the top level, will continue to be strong.
– It was very much expected. It wasn’t big news.
Thus comment Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Anderssonwhen Aftonbladet asked his thoughts on the Norwegian skier Therese Johaugin of return.
The four-time Olympic champion announced over the weekend that he will return to compete at the top level.
The Norwegian ended his successful career after the Beijing Olympics in the spring of 2022, having prioritized starting a family. His first child was born in the spring of 2023.
In the coming season, the 36-year-old skiing star is aiming for the World Cup home games in Trondheim.
Andersson, who himself is a world champion and Olympic medalist, told a Swedish newspaper that he wants to compete against Johaug. He has no doubt that the Norwegian is still strong.
When Johaug was last seen in the World Cup and the prestigious competitions, it was familiar that he started to keep a high pace right from the start.
Andersson guesses that the same can be expected in the future as well, if Johaug manages to return to his same high level.
– I try to think that it’s not a bad thing for me, considering that I myself have often been interested in high speed from the beginning.
Also a Swedish skier Moa Ilarin I think it’s exciting to see if Johaug will keep up the pace from the beginning in the coming events as well.
– In recent years, the course of the competitions has been a little different than when he was involved, Ilar thought to Aftonbladet.
Like his national team mates Jonna Sundling could wait for the Norwegian’s decision.
– I’m happy because we want to compete against the best. It didn’t seem like he put the skis on the shelf, so I’ve just been waiting for this day.
Indications of Johaug’s level have been seen, for example, last winter, when he overwhelmingly won his country’s championship in the 30 km intermediate start.
A tactical game
Also the Norwegian skier who ended his career Petter Northug can see that there is also a psychological game in the Swedes’ comments.
– We know what Therese Johaug has done. But here and now Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson are ahead and they are favourites. The Swedish team has an awful lot of competence, the 15-time world champion reasoned For Expressen.
Northug is watching the tactical game with interest, but does not think that the Swedes are afraid of Johaug’s return.
Johaug’s return news is raised hopes also about Northug’s return to the World Cup.