Statue of Petter Northug unveiled in his home village of Framverran in Inderøy – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio

2,000 spectators turned up when it was ready for the unveiling of Petter Northug’s statue on Saturday afternoon. The statue adorns the hometown of the ski king, in Framverran in Inderøy municipality. Ahead of the unveiling, a mini-sprint race was held for children and a separate show sprint in which Northug himself took part. It was mum Northug and her son themselves who were allowed to unveil the sculpture. Here, mother Northug and her son unveil the sculpture. – Lots of emotions It was the artist Tore Bjørn Skjølsvik who has been given the honorable task of creating Petter Northug. – There are a lot of emotions. It is strong and moving to see so many people turn up, says a moved Northug. The statue depicts Northug in the ski track, as many people might associate Northug with. Photo: Christian Aras Shuany / news – Tore Bjørn I think I have created a fantastically fine figure of myself. The statue depicts Northug in the ski track, as many people might associate Northug with. – Perhaps that is what many people remember me from throughout my career as well. So I am very happy with that product. Northug says that he thinks it is strange that he already has a statue of himself, at the age of 38. – It is special. I feel very old suddenly when there is a statue here. There was a lot of emotion for Northug during the unveiling of his own statue on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Christian Aras Shuany / news Placed in the home village And it is not without reason that the statue has been given a place of honor precisely in Framverran. – In my home village, which has meant a lot to me, that’s where the dreams started. – So we feel that getting it here might inspire many others, and that it could become an attraction for the village, says Northug. There has been a collaboration over time to get the statue in place. Photo: Christian Aras Shuany / news What is the verdict? – Fantastic. Tore Bjørn is incredibly clever. He has managed to create a sculpture of it that is absolutely beautiful. I am very pleased. – Almost a little surprised – I’m almost a little surprised that I was the one who got the task. But this is work that I am happy to have done, says the artist Tore Bjørn Skjølsvik.​​​​ – I have seen myself more as a two than as a one, so to speak. So now I have reached my goal. Of course, all that means is that he likes it. Artist Tore Bjørn Skjølsvik was given the honorable task of creating the statue of Petter Northug. Photo: Christian Aras Shuany / news – Mektig The former TV 2 profile and cross-country journalist Ernst A. Lersveen has worked to secure the financing of the statue. He also helped lead the actual unveiling. – I think this was quite powerful. – The statue is completely crude. Rougher than I had imagined. You can see from the face on the statue that it is Petter. And you can see from the whole movement that it is Petter. So it’s absolutely magical. – It is also funny that it is in gold. Completely unique other statues you can compare with. And he has been a unique skier, so this was just right. The former TV 2 profile and cross-country journalist Ernst A. Lersveen has worked on the financing of the statue, and he is satisfied with the result. Photo: Linnea Berg Thorkildsen / NTB – It’s nice to get a statue while you’re alive Lersveen says that he has followed Northug’s entire career, and that the skier has given the Norwegian people many moments of great joy. – He has given us so much that getting a statue of himself alive, while one is alive, I think is fun to achieve. – So for me, this statue here is a sign of gratitude for everything he has given us who have followed him, and the village. Northug has a great cross-country career to look back on. Behind him, he has two golds, one silver and one bronze in the Olympics, in addition to 13 golds and three silvers in the WC. He has also won the World Cup overall twice and the Tour de Ski in the 2014/15 season. Published 13.07.2024, at 21.59 Updated 13.07.2024, at 22.02



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