In February and March next year, the World Ski Championships will be held in Granåsen in Trondheim. By all accounts, Therese Johaug will be there to see. – I want to give the dream of the WC at home a chance, says Johaug himself in a press release from the Norwegian Skiing Association. That makes Åge Skinstad, head of the Ski WC 2025, smile. – Bringing her to the big party is very positive. WC boss Åge Skinstad can smile after it became clear that a big profile is betting on the WC. Photo: Ski WC – Good for interest Johaug gave up after the 2021/22 season. In his last season, he won, among other things, three Olympic gold medals in Beijing. Although it has been two years since she put her skis on the shelf, she says that she has continued with her training. – I am excited to see what is possible, and hope I can take part in the folk festival that the WC in Trondheim will be. Skinstad believes that the 36-year-old now making a comeback is very positive for the interest surrounding the upcoming world championship. – She is a person that everyone in Norway knows. Many have followed her for a number of years. – This is great for everyone involved in cross-country skiing, good for women’s cross-country skiing and for those interested in general. The last time Johaug participated in a WC was in Oberstdorf in 2021. That time she won four gold medals, among others in the three-mile. In Trondheim, the longest distance is five miles. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Thinks historic five-mile tempts Skinstad says he has not pushed to get Johaug to bet against the WC. – There hasn’t been any pressure, but there has been a very strong desire. We have made no secret of that. The WC manager does not think it is difficult to motivate oneself to make a comeback. – It probably helps that it is on home ground. The great experiences you can have out on the track, packed with home fans, are probably quite motivating. – Johaug will probably be a little extra triggered by the historic five-mile as well. In Trondheim, it is the first time in a world championship that the longest distance is also 50 kilometers for the women. Hope Northug does the same. Skinstad hopes as many profiles as possible will be seen in Granåsen in February and March next year. – Nothing would have been better than if we get a proper fight for the places on both the women’s and men’s teams until the WC. He has not given up hope that Petter Northug will do the same as Johaug and make a comeback for the WC. – Petter has kept the door slightly ajar in several interviews lately. In addition, he showed at Beitostølen that he can help fight. Earlier this year, Petter Northug made a comeback in skiing NM at Beitostølen. There he won silver in the team sprint together with his brother. news tried to contact Northug on Wednesday evening. He has not responded to news’s inquiries. Published 07/08/2024, at 18.05 Updated 07.08.2024, at 18.16
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The WC boss happy that Therese Johaug is making a comeback and hopes Petter Northug will do the same – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
