Photo: Bildbyrån
At 38 years old, Petter Northug is making a new effort to reach the world elite again. The goal is for him to be on the starting line in the home WC in Trondheim.
Now his compatriot Johannes Hösflot Kläbo sends a warning to us in the neighboring country.
– I reckon it was the worst news you could get in Sweden, he says to SVT Sport.
It has been six years since the then king of cross-country skiing, the Norwegian Peter Northugleft the main stage. He had then won two Olympic golds and 13 World Cup golds, and also won both the Tour de Ski and the overall World Cup. But just two years after his “retirement” he started competing in long races. His attraction to the sport was too strong.
Northug’s new venture
Even now, he can’t help being tempted to start driving again. It is almost clear that the 38-year-old is now making a new effort to compete in the WC in Trondheim in February. First of all, Northug must qualify for the Scandinavian Cup. If he succeeds in performing well there, he gets to go on to the World Cup, and if it also goes well there – then a place in the Norwegian World Cup squad may become relevant.
– All the parameters are working against me. It’s just too fucking bad. You feel rotten, old and sluggish. The mobility you had in your 20s, unfortunately, you don’t remember what it was like. And when you remember, everything feels really rubbish, he told NRK.
Many certainly think that Petter Northug’s attempt to reach the WC is ridiculous, desperate and that it will simply be too late. Also Therese Johaug36, makes a bet against the home World Cup, but the difference is that several Norwegians believe in her but they doubt the former skiing king. One who, on the other hand, has high hopes for him is today’s big, Norwegian giant Johannes Hösflot Kläbo27.
– He must get good training in the next two months to have any greater chance. It would be crazy fun if he comes back. I think everyone thinks so, he tells SVT Sport.
Norwegian mockery of Sweden
Kläbo realizes that Northug is really fighting against the clock because the WC takes place already in February. He thus does not have many months to succeed in qualifying for the championship. But at the same time, he doesn’t want to count Petter’s chances out. He manages to squeeze in a slightly sour pass to his rivals from Sweden when he allows himself to be interviewed by SVT.
– It will be exciting to see. I reckon it was the worst news you could get in Sweden. That he should start coming back again, he says.
In the past, the Norwegian long-distance legend has Anders Aukland saw Northug’s chances of getting back to the national team. At least the Norwegian one.
READ MORE: Petter Northug’s harsh outburst against Frida Karlsson and Therese Johaug – accuses both of lying: “We all know that”
– The fact that Petter is Norwegian and is not in the national team makes the eye of the needle to get to the WC realistically very difficult to get through. If he were Swedish, he would have been on the starting line in the WC, he has told NRK.
Soon it will be that time of year when we quarrel and fight against the Norwegians. It always adds a little extra heat to the competitions. Always at its best when you beat Norway.
What do you think about this? Do you want to see Petter Northug again? Comment!
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