PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Alvar Myhlback and Petter Northug know each other well.
But now the Norwegian skiing icon expresses great concern for the Swedish talent.
– He must be slowed down, says Northug to Norwegian NTB.
Alvar Myhlback really broke through when he came eighth in the Vasaloppet earlier this year, only 16 years old. This season, the talent has made its debut in the World Cup and impressed there as well.
The tribute of Myhlback
The 17-year-old has been widely praised since his breakthrough, and is seen as one of the biggest skiing talents. Among others Peter Northug, who has described Myhlback as “a diamond”. Northug himself was a very promising young talent, which he followed up by becoming one of the world’s best cross-country skiers ever with his incredible career.
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The Norwegian is still the youngest winner of an individual World Cup race. When Northug was 20 years and 61 days old, he won the double pursuit of 20 kilometers during the World Cup in Falun. It’s a record that Petter thinks he won’t be able to keep for much longer.
– He (Alvar Myhlback) can handle that. He is the hottest candidate to do so. It will be exciting to follow. At least it’s worth it if he does, because he’s so aggressive and fearless. Time goes by fast too, but he can win a World Cup race already next year if everything falls into place, says Northug to NTB.
Northug’s concern
The 37-year-old still pays great tribute to Myhlback.
– If he avoids overtraining or injuring himself, he will be incredibly good already this season, and not least before the WC in Trondheim. If all goes well, he could be a medal contender there. That’s how strong he is. He loves to compete, and we see that by his participation in everything. Competitions are what he lives for, and I love what I see in him, Northug told the Norwegian news agency.
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But there is also some concern for the 17-year-old.
– He is very committed. But this is also why I say that he must be careful so that it does not exceed. Then such a diamond can be destroyed, but he is strong and can withstand a lot of training, so I think he will be fine. He has many talented people around him, and he is constantly curious and wants to solve every race perfectly. Alvar has a glow in his eyes that indicates he wants to get better every day. He just needs to be slowed down, quite simply, says Northug.
READ MORE: Great anger towards Alvar Myhlback after his debut – the talent is now heavily criticized for his actions: “Not okay”
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