– I think it’s a shame. It is a defensive and short-term thought by the Ski Association, says news’s cross-country expert Fredrik Aukland and is supported by Therese Johaug. – Milla has been superior all year, and should be matched against the best in the world. The race is only half an hour away from where she lives, and would be a motivational boost for her heading into the summer and the years to come, she believes. EXPERT: Therese Johaug. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news They are talking about Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen, who is singled out by many as one of the great Norwegian skiers of the future. The Bækkelaget runner came in 5th place during the sprint in the senior NM earlier this season, and in the junior WC she won silver in the classic sprint. Nevertheless, she is not among the runners who are allowed to run Tuesday’s city sprint in Drammen. Selection for the sprint in Drammen Women: Hedda Østberg Amundsen, Hedda Bakkemo, Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, Ingrid Andrea Gulbrandsen, Maria Hartz Melling, Julie Myhre, Mathilde Skjærdalen Myhrvold, Kristine Stavås Skistad, Ane Appelkvist Stenseth, Anna Svendsen, Lotta Udnes Weng, Tiril Udnes Weng. Men: Harald Østberg Amundsen, Harald Astrup Arnesen, Pål Trøan Aune, Ansgar Evensen, Pål Golberg, Lars Agnar Hjelmeseth, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Even Northug, Mats Opsal, Sindre Bjørnestad Skar, Erik Valnes, Sivert Wiig. Compared to Ingebrigtsen and Ødegaard Andreassen were among the athletes who were discussed in connection with the selection. Three golds and one silver in the Junior WC are rarely good results, but this time the 17-year-old’s young age played against her. At the weekend, the Norgescup took place in Brumunddal, where juniors born in 2003 and 2004 could participate. The race was also used as a qualifying race for the sprint in Drammen. Andreassen was born in 2005 and therefore did not have the opportunity to run the important race. Johaug believes that the Ski Association should still be able to find an opening for Andreassen’s participation. COACH: Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen together with trainer Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news – It’s defensive. The Ski Association should use more discretion here. Yes, she is young, but hello? Jakob Ingebrigtsen won EC gold as a 17-year-old, Martin Ødegaard went to Real Madrid at a young age. It has gone well with them, points out news’s expert. Andreassen’s coach Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes follows the great talent closely. She says that the student would have been good enough to go to Drammen, but at the same time has a great understanding of the situation the Ski Association is in. – It would have been cool to see her in Drammen, but I am not sending an angry e-mail to the Ski Association because of it. I understand why she hasn’t been selected, she will get many chances in the years to come. She is not qualified, and so it is a bit about her being carefully matched, says Vikhagen Gjeitnes. Johaug got to try out early Aukland draws parallels to Therese Johaug and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, who both got to try out against the very best at a young age. The cross-country expert believes that one should seize the opportunity this time as well. – I think we have a unique opportunity to follow up a young talent in a long-term way. Although Milla is young and has two years left as a junior, we have seen from experience that young runners benefit from being matched early, says the cross-country expert. EXPERT: Fredrik Aukland. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news Johaug speaks from experience, and says that early matching against the very best was an important part of her early career. She got to compete against Marit Bjørgen, go to the World Cup and already at the age of 18 she got the chance in a senior WC and won bronze. – I performed afterwards as well, and it gave me motivation and inspiration to see that it was possible. It was then that I realized that I could have a long career ahead of me, she says. National team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad responds to the criticism and says it is always difficult to select teams for the World Cup, especially when they have to compare athletes who do not go against each other in relevant selection races. – This time Milla got on the wrong side of the withdrawal line. But I am very impressed by what Milla has achieved this winter, and she brings with her new experience from both international championships and participation in the senior national championships. If she stays healthy and fast, I am confident that this is an athlete we will see a lot of at the top level in a short time, says Svarstad to news
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