– The plan going forward, even if I will go to long-distance competitions on roller skis, is to train more all-round, says Petter Northug to news. Five years after Northug retired in 2018, he returned as a cross-country runner in the cross-country circus in the 2022/2023 season. Since then, he has been training aimed at long-distance running in Ski Classics. But now he is rescheduling his training towards the upcoming WC season. Until Christmas, the goal is to qualify for the Scandinavian Cup. – I think I benefit from training a little more traditionally, a little more speed, quickness and resilience. Things I know the body lacks because of age, says Northug, and emphasizes that he has mostly practiced striking and long sessions in recent years. Therese Johaug has already confirmed that she is making a comeback towards the WC in Trondheim. The questions surrounding a possible World Cup comeback for Northug have also been hailed. But the really big question is: Does the 38-year-old have the capacity needed to qualify? The fight against the biological clock Because, as Northug points out, he is no longer 20 years old. – You know you’ve gotten older, how do you feel it on your body? – No, that’s too damned, then. You feel rooted, old and lazy. Your movement pattern, which you know and have been familiar with since your mid-20s, is not remembered. And when you think about it, everything today seems like real bullshit. If Northug is to be able to assert himself in all-round racing, qualify for the Scandinavian Cup, and then hope for World Cup participation, he must therefore make tough priorities going forward. That is precisely the plan when age does not play on the same team. – It is difficult. You simply have to be sober in the selective hard sessions. You choose the training sessions you need. Then you have to make sure that you fit in, like after tough competitions such as Top Sports Week, says Northug. – And then you have to be good at putting other things away during training periods, so that you can rest between sessions and get a good night’s sleep. I know that is important when I have to train a lot. – Are you working a bit against the biological clock when it comes to going all-round and qualifying for the WC? – Oh, all perimeters are working against me. Claims the chances increased Northug nevertheless believes that he doubled his chances for a World Cup on home soil, from one to 2.2 per cent, after the long run at Aure during Toppidrettsveka. There he made a big impression, but was just over five seconds behind the winner after a pole break. National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum, on the other hand, was less optimistic on Northug’s behalf. Nossum points out that Northug probably has to both qualify for the World Cup and enter several podium places there if he is to have a WC opportunity. But let there be no doubt – Northug is not on the lazy side. Father John emphasized that above to news, although he thinks it will be very difficult to qualify. – I think we all agree that the chances are minimal, counters the son. Nevertheless, everything can be possible, under the assumption that it really is Northug’s inner dream, John Northug further pointed out. – He trains seriously, says dad John. “Would have got a WC place if he was Swedish” Anders Aukland can be said to be Norway’s best-trained 50-year-old. He points out that the maximum oxygen uptake decreased from the age Northug is now. This in turn affects the capacity. – When it goes down a bit, you have more problems with shorter distances, says Aukland and continues: – But you can manage to counteract that with good training. SPREK: Anders Aukland first started as a cross-country skier at the age of 50. Photo: Daniel Sandland / Nordisk Banijay/news For Northug, he can train both less and smarter as he has good basic training, points out Aukland. He also thinks Northug may have problems qualifying. – The fact that Petter is Norwegian and not part of the national team means that realistically speaking, the need to get to the WC will be very difficult, says Aukland and continued: – If he was Swedish, he would have been on the starting line in the WC. Will go team sprint with Klæbo Both Anders Aukland, John Northug and Torgeir Bjørn are einige – Northug may have trouble with the qualification. But news’s cross-country expert believes that nothing is impossible when it comes to the Mosviking. EXPERT: Torgeir Bjørn believes that nothing is impossible when it comes to Petter Northug. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB He also believes that the dream of Norwegian skiers is to see Northug and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo together in a team sprint in the WC. – I would like to do the first stage with Johannes (Høsflot Klæbo) here, yes. I can sign up ready myself, but there are a lot of people on the fence and there are an awful lot of strong candidates to go with Johannes, says Northug. – What will it take to awaken the sprinting qualities you have? – It is to be a little more in the strength room and activate the fast fibers more – and have a little more punch in training. What is automatic in the muscles until you are 25, you have to work on when you are older. That is what must be prioritized. – In any case, if one is going all-round where more punch and explosiveness are needed. Published 19.08.2024, at 11.08 Updated 19.08.2024, at 11.29
ttn-69
– If he was Swedish, he would have been on the starting line in the WC – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
