Calle Halfvarsson will run the Vasaloppet.
It absolutely loves Norway – who are looking forward to a heated duel against Petter Northug.
– It will be extremely interesting, says expert Torgeir Björn.
Calle Halfvarsson has, after a few difficult years, found his form and love for cross-country skiing again. He himself has raised the fact that he started a family as a factor in the success, but it is clear that it is a completely new Calle Halfvarsson that we see out in the tracks.
The joy of the expert
Halfvarsson had a strong winter when on his best day he could threaten anyone, and next season will also be exciting, but for a completely different reason. Last week, Halfvarsson announced that next season, which does not have any major championships on the long-distance side, he will compete in the Vasaloppet.
Calle Halfvarsson does not have much experience in long-distance running, but the fact that he runs the Vasaloppet means above all that it will be a duel against Petter Northug again. They both had several falling outs during the years when Northug was active, and now Norway is looking forward to the duo meeting again.
– There has been a war of words between Petter and Calle and that has increased interest. They are good friends, but fierce competitors. Petter has invested in long-distance running for a few years now and has good experience. Calle has no routine, but has better qualities as a skier right now. It will be an extremely interesting duel, says the Norwegian skiing expert Torgeir Björn to Nettavisen.
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The call to Northug
In recent years, Northug has invested in long races in particular, which should result in an advantage over Halfvarsson when the Vasaloppet begins.
– Calle is an uncertain card for longer races, but it will probably be difficult for someone to leave. There’s a possibility of a sprint, and it’s a duel Northug doesn’t want to lose. Then I think the competition devil will take over, says Björn.
Torgeir Björn now believes that Northug needs to train properly if he is to have a chance.
– Petter is still strong, but she must get out on longer distances quite soon. He needs to take a long run up in the mountains, that’s his recipe for victory.
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