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Therese Johaug smiles at the statement by Swede Linn Svahn.
BEITOSTØLEN (Nettavisen): The start of the season went in many ways as expected on the cross country track.
In Beitostølen, Therese Johaug was in her own class for Saturday’s 10km, while in Sweden, Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson topped their national career at Bruksvallarna.
Only next weekend will we see the balance of power between the Norwegian and Swedish athletes, but already now Swedish sprint star Linn Svahn seems to have the answer clear.
After Andersson and Karlsson’s feat on Friday, Svahn told Aftonbladet that he doesn’t think anyone in the world can beat the Swedes.
Neither does Therese Johaug.
– He must have bitten pretty hard if he wanted to hold on, says Svahn.
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Johaug smiles
Johaug has received the statements of the Swedish profile and responds with some irony when Nettavisen asks him what he thinks of the accusations.
– No, no one will be able to follow them next weekend. Can I try. I’m not sure I can. I can be a joker, Johaug laughs.
However, the Norwegian cross country star is serious when he says he expects tough competition.
– I realized that Frida and Ebba were very fast, so they will be difficult to beat in Kuusamo next weekend, says Johaug.
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There is still no doubt that Johaug will be the big favorite when the World Cup starts again in Finland in a week.
She herself felt she got good responses in her first race of the season at Beitostølen.
– I got the answer that I’m in shape. In a way, distance used to be what it usually is here for other girls. So I also usually succeed in the World Cup, but whether or not it will be a victory next weekend, I don’t know. Every ski race has its own story, but I think it would have been a good position at the top of the World Cup, says Johaug.
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Fossesholm supports Johaug
Helene Marie Fossesholm, who ran away with second place, thinks so too. The Norwegian cross-country talent has also received statements from Sweden about Andersson and Karlsson, but Fossesholm believes in Norwegian success at Ruka.
– I can only answer with the same currency. They just have to wait and see what Therese has on board. They really know about this before and Therese at least hasn’t gotten worse, Fossesholm tells Nettavisen.
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She also laughs a bit at Svahn’s statement.
– It’s difficult to report, but I think it’s funny that I report a bit and make such comments. That’s what creates a bit of a stir. It will be exciting next weekend. When they report that hard, you expect them to perform too. They really just push themselves, says Fossesholm.
The first game of the national season in Beitostølen ends with 10/15 kilometers of free technique on Sunday.
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