For the first time in five years, Petter Northug is registered for the FIS race in cross-country skiing.
On the weekend of 10 to 12 November, Muonio in Finland organizes three races. Among those registered is Northug, it appears the organizer’s list.
The last time the 37-year-old ran a FIS race – which is the level below the World Cup – was at Gålå in November 2018.
– I was not aware of this. But it’s a lot of fun, says Eirik Mysen (30) to Dagbladet.
OUT IN THE FIELD: Petter Northug has been an expert on TV 2 in recent years. Photo: Bjørn Langsem Show more
Mysen is registered himself. If all goes according to plan, Northug will sprint on Friday and ten kilometers free on Sunday.
It was the Finnish newspaper Evening newspaper who reported on the FIS comeback first. The man with 13 World Cup golds and two Olympic golds has not answered Dagbladet’s inquiry. But race director Vesa Virkkunen says to Iltalehti:
– This is big. It will be fun to see what Northug’s pace is up to.
It is already known that the meritorious Trønder has ambitions for this winter’s long-distance running. The question is what he can perform in competition with several cross-country profiles.
TRAVEL TO FINLAND: Eirik Mysen Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Show more
Northug gave up in December 2018, but in recent years has worked his way up to an exciting level. He has given the World Ski Championships in Trondheim in 2025 a small chance of participation.
Emil Iversen, Pål Golberg and Didrik Tønseth are just some of the meritorious names registered in Finland.
– What can we expect from 37-year-old Northug?
– I think that is a difficult question, replies Mysen.
– You see when he comes to the O2 track with capacity, he may not have quite what it takes. But he was absolutely raw in the sprint during Toppidrettsveka. He has gained some pressure due to the strike. He still has the quickness in his body.
READY MESSAGE: This is how the national team lads assess Petter Northug’s WC chances. Video: Løkås/Cederblad Show more
– So then is the conclusion?
– I am excited about the sprint. In ten kilometers of skating, I don’t think he will assert himself very much. But he still surprises. Suddenly he hits me. And then I sit with my beard in the mailbox.
EXCITED: Eirik Myhr Nossum and Petter Northug had a long-term collaboration as coach and athlete when he was outside the national team. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Show more
National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum responds as follows about Northug’s FIS comeback in a text message to Dagbladet:
– Fun to see what he can achieve. As I remember the trails, there is a lot of striking and that can be positive. I have not had any dialogue with him regarding starting over there. He almost gets to manage that himself. Regardless, it’s brilliant that he wants to go cross-country skiing. Best workout, that.
Muonio is located in the north of Finland. The snow conditions are good.
According to the reports, Erik Valnes has already walked a trail of 20 kilometers and back.
2023-11-01 17:35:08
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