Cross-country skiing : Therese Johaug power of four on the Tour de Ski
On Sunday afternoon, Therese Johaug crushed the competition on the final climb of the Tour de Ski towardsAlpe Cermis (Italy). Alone in the world, the Norwegian didn’t tremble on the slopes she knows like the back of her hand, having won there for the ninth time on 5 January.
And yet, just a few months ago, nothing seemed to indicate that the four-time Olympic champion would not be at the start of the tour. In fact, she had only planned to compete in the first two rounds of the cross-country skiing World Cup before staying in Norway to prepare for the world championships in Trondheim (Norway).
In just a few weeks, the 36-year-old’s plans have been turned upside down. Among the best, the Scandinavian doesn’t seem determined to return home any time soon. By claiming a fourth overall victory in the Tour de Ski, she has joined Justyna Kowalczyk as the Tour’s most successful athlete.
These are records that Therese Johaug loves to keep in her sights, and they could well push her to continue her competitive career for longer than expected. In a year’s time, these same tracks in Val di Fiemme (Italy) will host the Olympic events at the Milan/Cortina Games.
Her husband “not so sure” she won’t be going to Italy next season
And while she has always said no to a possible appearance in the Dolomites next winter, one of those close to her doesn’t seem convinced by the Norwegian’s arguments. Indeed, her husband Nils Jakob Hoff doesn’t seem to be as categorical as his wife on the subject: “She’s very clear about the fact that she won’t be going. I’m not so sure,” he told Viaplay a few hours after the end of the race.
It’s a new statement that should quickly cause a stir among the Scandinavians, as was the case when Therese Johaug kept the suspense surrounding her return to the circuit alive last spring.
Read also
- Tour de Ski: Therese Johaug equals Justyna Kowalczyk by winning her fourth Tour de Ski
- Val di Fiemme: Therese Johaug alone in the world to claim her ninth victory at the top of Alpe Cermis on the Tour de Ski
