Photo: Bildbyrån
Petter Northug is back again and aims to go to the WC in Trondheim.
Now it comes to light that several Norwegian skaters – including his brother Even – are skeptical that he will be able to participate and compete again.
– There is a brutal truth here and that is that you have to be so good, so stable, to get into the WC and a WC team, says Even Northug to VG.
It’s almost six years since the world star Peter Northug38, chose to end his skiing career. Since then, he has acted as a TV expert for NRK and in recent years has also competed in long-distance races. But now he is aiming for a comeback as a cross-country skier – the goal is to make it to the WC in Trondheim in February 2025.
Little brother Even disses Petter
Just like Therese Johaug36, Northug has a dream of being able to compete in the home World Cup in Norway. The difference is that many believe that Johaug, who has only missed two seasons since she left, while others are more skeptical of whether Northug can regain his former great form.
November 22-24 is the domestic premiere for the Norwegians in Beitostølen. Those races are extremely important for the skaters who want to qualify for the national team in order to possibly get a place in the WC squad. Petter Northug almost has to perform immediately to have a chance. But many believe that it could unfortunately be a fiasco for him. One who has a good grasp of Petter’s form is his little brother Even Northug29. He is not overly optimistic.
– It will be tough at Beitostølen for Petter. He has something in him that is tough, but there is a brutal truth here and that is that you have to be so good, so stable, to get into the WC and a WC team, he tells VG.
READ MORE: Stina Nilsson’s honest words after the comparison with Petter Northug
“It’s going to be tough for him”
There are a few other Norwegian national team skaters who also think that Petter Northug will be hot on the ears. He will have many eyes directed at him, maybe it will be difficult to handle the pressure and at the same time deliver purely physically against younger skaters.
– There are an incredible number of people who are strong on roller skis, but when the snow gets under the skis, there is more distance. It is difficult to lose several years in adulthood as Petter has done. But he knows what it takes, definitely. I stand by what I said before: I think it will be tough for him, says Paul Golberg.
– Let me put it this way: There are others in this room I fear more than Petter in the WC selection. If he is close to top 10 on Beito I will be both very impressed and surprised. I would expect him to be around 50. That’s what’s kind of fun, he’s unpredictable and hard to predict, says Simen Hegstad Krüger.
READ MORE: Johannes Hösflot Kläbo’s sour pass to the Swedes – after the talk about Petter Northug’s comeback: “The worst news you could get in Sweden”
Soon up to evidence for Petter Northug and Therese Johaug. Do you think they will be as good as before or will the comeback be a spectacular failure? Please write a comment and tell us what you think.
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