Frida Karlsson was convinced by Therese Johaug’s latest performance. Ebba Andersson sees that Johaug might be seen at the next Olympics after all.
23.11. 17:43•Updated 23.11. 17:44
Sweden’s top skiers are preparing for the World Cup season starting next week at the national championships in Bruksvallarna. In the women’s 10 kilometer traditional split race on Saturday Ebba Andersson defeated the stars in the battle of victory Frida Karlsson about 12 seconds apart.
The topic of conversation, however, was Norway Therese Johaugin vire in Beitostölen, Norway. The 36-year-old woman, who returned to the ski slopes, beat the runner-up in the 10 km intermediate start race by Heidi Weng by about 40 seconds and many national team skiers by more than a minute.
In both Norway and Sweden, the 10-kilometer intermediate start race was held in traditional skiing.
– Oh damn. It wasn’t bad at all. He is indeed back, Karlsson stated after seeing the results.
When Johaug competed in the World Cup last time in the 2021–2022 season, he often beat his tough Swedish colleagues.
In the spring of 2020, Norway’s skiing queen got to see firsthand the potential of young Karlsson. Then the 20-year-old Swede beat Johaug himself in the 30 km race.
– I compete here (in Norway) against tough skiers. It probably predicts that I will be able to fight against tough Swedes in Ruka, Johaug referred to the World Cup starting next week in Ruka.
See you at the Olympics?
Johaug has stated that his international skiing career will end once and for all this season. His biggest motivator is the World Skiing Championships in Trondheim, Norway.
However, Andersson is not completely convinced that Johaug will not be seen at the 2026 Milan Olympics.
Johaug returned to the games last season by winning the 30 km race at the Norwegian championships in show style. Even then, he was doubtful about the World Cup. Finally, in September, he announced his return.
Anderson says that Johaug may see a similar spin regarding the Olympics as well.
– Maybe it’s a copy-paste from this year, when he moved and moved his announcement. We’ll see if he’ll just get a taste of top sports or not, Andersson said Aftonbladet by.
Karlsson, who is a couple of years younger than Andersson, believes that Johaug is serious.
– I think he is really interested in the World Cup gold in Trondheim. I understand that very well. Home field and folk festival.
Karlsson was asked if he believes that Johaug will stick with his decision to continue his career only for this season.
– I think so, Karlsson stated.