– I get frustrated. So, he is a thoroughbred sprinter, so I have high demands on Even when he is at the start of the World Cup. When I see there is a recurrence of mistakes and cowardice in heats, as it was now, then I think he needs to pull himself together, says Petter Northug, who is in Slovenia as an expert for TV 2. Even Northug was in great shape at the start of the season, but after the NM silver just over a month ago, the Trønder has struggled. The races in Livigno, Les Rousses and Toblach ended with 10th, 13th and 18th place. Norway’s first team was sensationally knocked out of the sprint relay in Livigno after a weak prologue from Northug. The streak makes Big Brother shake his head. – You cannot make the kind of childish mistakes he has made a couple of weekends, and most recently in Toblach too, be too cowardly in the quarter-finals. Then you go right out, and I hope he learns from that. He has had a couple of episodes like that in the past where I hoped he had learned, and then I get a bit irritated and provoked, because you shouldn’t do that when you are at work, says Petter Northug – and adds: – Then I mean it is better not to show up. PROFESSIONALS: Petter Northug is on hand for TV 2 at the WC arena. There he discussed the course with Swedish Calle Halfvarsson the day before the sprint. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news Shaking his head: – He has to wake up Petter Northug believes it is noticeable how his brother has become more serious in recent seasons. He refers to him as a nerd, someone who is good at solving prologues and various tracks tactically and preparing mentally. On a good day, the sprint world champion from 2015 believes that it is realistic to hope for a WC medal. Youngest cross-country brother Northug won the season opener at Beitostølen and came second in the World Cup in Ruka and Lillehammer. – He has to reset his head, and then he has to wake up a bit, because it has been too dull after Christmas. There have been childish mistakes that he makes in heats. And then you have to pull yourself together, and then you have to focus on the one race, and then you have to do things right. – You have to be mentally prepared when it’s a WC sprint, because it’s a lot about what’s in your head, says Northug, who told VG that Even had to sharpen up. – It’s about being hungry and it’s about doing a training job when you’re on the national team and developing, he’s going to become an even better sprinter, because it’s scary to stagnate where he is now. Then you will also be there for the rest of your career. Grinning at his brother’s tricks Even Northug meets news shortly after training at the ski stadium in Planica. The 27-year-old is satisfied with the work he has put in towards the WC. He feels confident in his form. – Yes, it is as good as it can be, so it feels very normal and like before Christmas. I’m not afraid of anything, says Northug, as he is confronted with his older brother’s plans on the way out of the stadium. LIVES IN ITALY: Norway’s national team lives in Italy and spent Tuesday there. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Even Northug were in a good mood. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB He completely agrees that he has acted cowardly. He was the one who brought it up first. Disappointed and frustrated also agree well with my own experience. – First of all, I have to get back in shape a little, have a little more surplus. That’s what makes me make more mistakes in the heats as well. I’m a bit too tired and my head isn’t quite right, says little brother Northug, who has now completed a few good weeks of training. – Petter says that if you don’t show up at the start, there’s no point in showing up. What do you think about it? – Good point. I don’t intend to use the blur at the start of my first WC, grins Northug, who likes “everything” about the slopes in Planica. PS! The WC sprint starts with a prologue on news 1 and news.no on Thursday from 12.00. The final rounds start from 14.00. Norway fields Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Pål Golberg, Even Northug, Håvard Solås Taugbøl and Erik Valnes on the men’s side.
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– He has to pull himself together – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
