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Therese Johaug (31) was absolutely magnificent at the World Cup start in Ruka. She has done her part to ease the pressure on her Swedish rivals Frida Karlsson (21) and Ebba Andersson (23). But now you see through it, says Sweden’s most prominent cross-country commentator.
REFERENCES EVERYWHERE: Therese Johaug thinks there will be posts no matter what she says, but the Expressen commenter thinks she is transparent. Photo: LEHTIKUVA / Reuters
“Maybe someone thought the power shift was already here?” asks Tomas Pettersson on Expressen and replies that it may have to do with the fact that one may have listened to Therese Johaug too much. Johaug thinks he gets referees no matter what he says.
“Norskan” is not just a phenomenal skier. She is at least as phenomenal at the mental game, “writes Pettersson.
He believes that Johaug has launched a “two-stage rocket” against the Swedish team.
1) Johaug said in an interview with Expressen that she is at an age where no great strides are made, while the situation is the opposite for Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson. Johaug believes that the two “will be very strong.”
2) In November, Johaug told Dagbladet: – Now I have to pressure Frida. That’s why I say it now: Frida wins in Kuusamo (Ruka is in Kuusamo).
The result: Johaug won the opening race of the 10-kilometer classic, 21.8 seconds ahead of Frida Karlsson, with Ebba Andersson just behind in third place.
“We read. We wondered. We began to dream that the power shift was already underway,” writes Pettersson.
He believes it is not the first time that Johaug has played “this game”, referring to the World Cup in Seefeld last year where Johaug said beforehand that she was happy with an individual medal, after dominating in a big way before the championship.
“Of course it was just a brain game signed by Therese Johaug. Now she’s done it again, and it’s really just to congratulate and thank Johaug for this show too.”
Pettersson believes that Johaug piqued interest before the premiere, but now everyone should have learned that Johaug shows through.
Pettersson asked why “Johaug is lying” in front of WC Seefeld, a question that caused Johaug to react this way:
– Last year I was scolded for not having a threat. So I thought this year she (Karlsson) can take that pressure, Johaug tells VG at a digital press conference via Teams.
Petterson praises Johaug for putting pressure on Karlsson and Andersson, but says she was revealed by the top victory in the first distance race of the season.
– Is it the case that they give you referees no matter what they say? asks VG.
– Yes, it’s a bit like that. They lean in the direction they want, Johaug says before having a good laugh, after solving some technical challenges.
The Swedes have taken the bait. Linn Svahn said before the start of the season that “no one was going to match” what Andersson did in the Swedes’ first game of the season. Therese Johaug responded by beating everyone and won by 22 seconds ahead of the closest Swede.
- Tomas Pettersson does not want to elaborate on Johaug’s criticism of VG.
– So it was really good to take that Swedish duel! Especially when someone in the Swedish camp has spoken a bit. So it’s good to hit back hard, Johaug told NRK after the end.
– Did the messages from the Swedes encourage you?
– Yes. I thought I would do my best to be on top and show who is the best, continues Johaug on the state channel.
He also had to answer questions about why he asked for a clear lane behind Ebba Andersson, without passing.
He ended up complaining to his Swedish rival.
