Emil Persson became the first Swedish men’s skater in eleven years to win the Vasaloppet.
Now he sticks his chin out – and drives Petter Northug crazy.
– He has passed, says the successful Swede to SVT.
Petter Northug is one of the skiing world’s biggest profiles, with credentials that few can match. During his career he became known for always, whenever given a chance, sending a boot to Swedes he had just beaten. After Northug retired, he started a new investment in long-distance running, where the Vasaloppet is the biggest competition.
The pass to Northug
Last year, however, for the first time in eleven years, it was a Swedish success. Emil Persson became the first Swedish men’s skater since 2012 to win the competition at home, and afterwards there was a tribute from Petter Northug, who rode the Vasaloppet for the first time in his career. But he also sent a pass to the Swede.
Northug meant, in short, that there will be no more victories in the Vasaloppet for Emil Persson, because now Northug would make a serious investment himself, with a clear goal of winning the competition in 2024. But Emil Persson doesn’t believe that. The Swede now sends a sour pass to the profile.
– He will never get it. He is passed and too old, he says to SVT’s Kallprat.
“Time against us”
Emil Persson certainly praises Northug’s investment in long-distance running, but that Northug’s age and form speak against him.
– Yes, it’s fun to see him go and try. But he still has a bit to go. He has time against him.
Emil Persson has been a smash hit in long-distance running in recent years, but he’s not one to throw out spiels and strong quotes around him. Instead, he lets the results in the tracks speak for themselves.
– I rarely throw things out, I try to avoid those things. There will never be correct headlines, they will only be made up. Maybe that’s not what I stand for, he says.
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