Photo: Bildbyrån
Petter Northug wants to compete for Norway in the WC.
Swedish sprint star Edvin Anger doesn’t think that will happen.
– He has a lot to prove, he says to Sportbibeln.
The 22-year-old from Hedemora started the competition season in the best possible way. Edwin Anger won two of three races during the domestic premiere weekend in Bruksvallarna. He won the sprint by a wide margin and in the classic 10 kilometer race he had a margin of victory of three seconds.
Petter Northug wants to go to the WC
This weekend is the time for the World Cup premiere in Finnish Ruka. Anger could clearly mix in the top battle when it comes to the sprint. That’s where he’s at his strongest. Depending on how the season goes – if he continues to deliver – there may even be hope for him to win a medal at the WC in Trondheim next year.
READ MORE: Petter Northug’s honest words about Stina Nilsson’s future
One whose participation in the WC is a little more uncertain is the Norwegian long-distance legend Peter Northug38. He has made a new venture into long-distance running this season, but dreams of making a grand comeback at the World Ski Championships on home soil. Edvin Anger does not believe that Northug, who chose to end his career six years ago, will be close to getting a place in the Norwegian national team.
– It’s fun for skiing that he’s making a bet. Then he probably has a lot to prove and I don’t think there are very many people who have the faith that he will go to the WC, as he himself believes, he tells Sportbibeln.
Edvin Anger does not believe in Northug
Although Anger does not believe that Northug will perform at the same level as he did 10-15 years ago, he thinks it is fun and good for the sport that the charismatic and sometimes provocative Norwegian is back.
– If he proves that he can do it, he proves that he is something out of the ordinary. But it’s fun and it becomes a conversation piece. It’s still fun, he says.
READ MORE: Edvin Anger saws the Swedish cross-country team
However, he has more confidence in the other big Norwegian star who made a comeback this year: Therese Johaug. Anger believes that she will be a difficult nut for the Swedes to crack. After Johaug’s first victory in Beitostölen over the weekend, it is clear that the 36-year-old wants to join and fight for the top positions at the WC.
– Norway’s women’s skiing at the end has not been like it was before and what I have heard is that Johaug’s form is still extremely good, so I think she will go fast, he says.
How do you think it will go for Petter Northug this year? Does the Norwegian have any chance of challenging the elite? Feel free to write a comment and justify your opinion.
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