Sports expert Aino-Kaisa Saarinen skied with Therese Johaug for many years. The Norwegian star announced on Friday that it will end its major sports career this weekend.
A mind-blowing memory.
As such, Urheilun’s Aino-Kaisa Saarinen describes her memorable first encounter in Norway Therese Johaugin with.
Johaug had been involved in some World Cup competitions, but only at the 2007 World Championships in Sapporo did Saarinen really notice the young Norwegian skier.
– There the 30-kilometer traditional wondered that the girl was going hard. He was 18 years old. We thought, yes, that point is wilting, but it wasn’t wilting. The whole time it felt like I was catching him, but I didn’t get it. It wouldn’t have helped even if the trip had been longer. Therese was third, I was fourth, Saarinen recalls.
The performance of the young Norwegian impressed the entire skiing world, but especially Saarinen.
– I remember when we discussed after that when a girl learns to ski technically, she is scary hard. And that’s what he became.
Johaug, who announced the end of his career on Friday this weekend, is looking for a peer. Including posts, the Norwegian has won 14 gold medals, two silver and three bronze medals at the World Championships. He has won the World Cup in a whopping 78 times and three times in the overall competition. His career was crowned in Beijing by winning personal Olympic gold medals. In total, Johaug has four golds in the Olympics, one silver and one bronze.
– He is really talented, and with his training he became a super skier. Of the talent, he said he has a very hard oxygen uptake and endurance. When he gained muscle endurance and technique, he became infinitely tough. However, not invincible. Although he was very successful, he applied for these last Olympic gold skis until last year, Saarinen recalls.
One reason that personal Olympic gold came only in Beijing is Johaug’s long ban on competition. The Norwegian skier grumbled about the use of doping in 2016 and was eventually banned from competing for 18 months. Due to the non-compete, Johaugai missed the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
According to the Norwegian Ski Association and Johaug, the scab was caused by a cream called Trofodermin that Johaug had used to treat sun-burned lips.
– Yes, it was a shock, especially for him, but also for the rest of us. After all, it was real negligence. The labeling was also such that it should have been noticed. Surely it was a tight spot and unfortunately it overshadowed his career. This was a lesson for everyone to always make sure of themselves, because the athlete is responsible for what is found in the body in the final games, Saarinen says.
Johaug returned to the ski slopes at the Ruka World Cup in 2018. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen rejoiced at the return of the competitor to the ski slopes.
– It was great that he was able to get up from there and make a hard profit. It was the act of a very tough top athlete.
Saarinen’s memories of his Norwegian rival are, above all, warm.
– I will remember Therese as a sympathetic athlete. Sochi was remembered when, after a traditional ten, we met at a canteen. He was third, I was fourth. He said he would have gladly given me a bronze medal. However, it was the skiing of my life, and I wouldn’t have gotten any milliseconds harder. I was satisfied instead of the fourth, Saarinen recalls.
Another warmly memorable encounter took place in Falun, Sweden.
– It was the end of the season and I had a challenging season behind me. Therese came after the morning to ask what was going on, how are you doing. He cared about others, came to ask for news.
Where can I find a successor?
Therese Johaug has at times been overwhelmingly overwhelming. At times, the ski people have wondered if anyone can upset the Norwegian. Early in Sweden Frida Karlsson was well able to challenge Johaug and hit the Norwegian star a couple of times. At the opening of the Ruka World Cup, Johaug suffered his biggest loss in more than five years.
– Therese has not been invincible this season either. A few years back, it looked a bit like he could beat him. But I don’t think there’s going to be a vacuum in it. Tough struggles are still seen. Time will tell if anyone will take Theres’ place there.
After another Norwegian cross-country legend Marit Björgen retired from the ski slopes, took the place of Johaug Björgen. At least the Norwegian cross-country team does not currently show a clear successor to Johaug’s coat.
– At the moment, there has not been exactly the same type of situation, but let’s see. In Norway, work needs to be done now on the women’s skiing side, the whole team should stand up. Now it is being sought who will take the place of Therese, or whether there will be more tough struggles there. On the other hand, it’s a good thing and brings extra excitement to the Games, Saarinen concludes.
The World Ski Cup will continue on Saturday at Holmenkollen in Norway. The women’s 30-kilometer traditional group start will be shown live on TV2 and Areena at 10.55. On Sunday, the men will head to the 50-kilometer race, which starts at 12.55 pm (TV2 and Areena).