– Purely sporting, it is not good for Swedish women’s cross-country skiing, Bjervig says to news. He has just put a busy time behind him where he has landed new coaches for the women’s team. Now both he and the athletes look positively to the future with Sjur Ole Svarstad and Stig Rune Kveen at the helm. But at Sognefjellet this year, there are also some thoughts about the Swedes, where it is not as calm around the women’s national team. Just over a week ago, Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist rejected the offer from the Swedish national team, and followed Linn Svahn, who did the same a while earlier. CHOOSES THE NATIONAL TEAM: Lotta Udnes Weng says it is unthinkable to bet outside the national team as things are now. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB For the Norwegian athletes, the whole situation seems strange. – It’s a bit special that so many leave the team at the same time, says Lotta Udnes Weng and sounds almost like an echo of twin sister Tiril: – It was surprising, and I had not seen it coming exactly. But if that’s what they think is best for themselves, it’s very good that they do. The twin sisters (25) are the oldest on the Norwegian women’s national team that is in place on Sognefjellet after the illnesses of Heidi Weng and Ragnhild Haga. – I’m afraid they’re also part of a brand new national team, where the biggest medal wholesalers are gone in the form of Therese Johaug, Maiken Caspersen Falla and Ingvild Flugstad Østberg. Many have thus thought that on paper the best national team on the women’s side – Sweden – would take over the cross-country throne. But now Bjervig believes that the Swedish stars’ choice can destroy the possibilities for “sweet sister”. – I am afraid that the sporting consequences will be negative for Swedish women’s cross-country skiing, says the Norwegian cross-country manager. CONCERNED: Espen Bjervig thinks the Swedes are weakened when athletes bet outside the national team. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB He himself has experienced the value of strong teams, and believes the Swedes are now losing their biggest lead. – There is a reason why they have brought out so many good ones now, and that is that they have been many who have pushed each other. We have seen the same thing in Norwegian biathlon, in Norwegian alpine skiing, in Norwegian cross-country skiing. That you have had a team that has lifted each other up. For Swedish women’s cross-country skiing, this is, in my view, not good at all, says Bjervig. – Do not quite see why Even with the Norwegian cross-country masters, the Swedes’ choice has made more people raise their eyebrows in amazement. – In terms of training, there are so many female Swedes who are good, so I do not see exactly why they want to leave the national team. It is the best women’s national team that is, so it looks like there is something financial behind it, Erik Valnes speculates. In Norway, since Petter Northug’s time, there have been no major profiles who have voluntarily left the Norwegian national team, but in recent months there has been speculation as to whether Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is considering a private venture. On Wednesday, Adressa wrote that Klæbo and the Norwegian Ski Association have agreed on an agreement and have put the lubrication conflict behind them. Therefore, the medal wholesaler sees both sides of the issue. – I think it is important to look at it as an individual sport. For my part, I have made the same assessment, but for my development and for me to be the best possible, it is important for me to be on the team, and that is what I plan to be next year, says Klæbo. CLOSE TO: There was a fear that Johannes Høsflot Klæbo would bet outside the national team, but he came to an agreement with the association. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB – Must use the opportunities we have Tiril Udnes Weng could never have imagined rejecting the national team for a private offer, but does not like the idea that the trend in Sweden is spreading across the Norwegian border. – I am very happy that we do not have it like this, but that the national team is a place people want to be and that we see the value of training together. It is important to me and something I appreciate, says Udnes Weng. – Do you fear the same thing could happen in Norway? – Yes, maybe it’s something those who decide the rules and make contracts should look at – to make it more fun to be on the national team. I’m not so worried about the girls’ side, but I think it is important to follow the development in society and in sports so the national team is still attractive, Udnes Weng points out. But with a very happy national team and support apparatus, the cross-country manager sees the opportunity to fuck the Swedes already in the winter. – Yes, we must use the opportunities we have. But having said that, I have not seen a girls team been as hungry as they are now with so much criticism and skepticism and negative publicity that is against them. They are very ready to roll up their sleeves and show it now, so I’m looking forward to winter, Bjervig says about the Norwegian women.
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