Right on the edge – VG

It’s only been three and a half months since a clearly marked Northug recounted his personal problems opening the mic.

In August, he had been arrested for wild driving and possession of cocaine.

In November, the former ski king unveiled what could be one of this year’s Christmas hits. About oneself.

Meanwhile, skiers have opted for total forgiveness and, almost as a group, the business partners continue the collaboration with the Northug brand.

No matter what one thinks about the reactions the former ski star had deserved after deliberately endangering the lives of others, it is all a remarkable development. It says a lot about the unique control Northug has over the Norwegian public, and not least about how he, by giving himself up, is able to hold the position.

He had previously welcomed Christmas on a calendar, where all he wore was a Santa hat in front of his crotch. Now the Christmas message is about his own behavior. The words “I’m not a dream child, but I have a Christmas prayer” are peppered with ribs, cream of rice, and glimpses of moments that made him one of the most popular Norwegians of all time.

There’s probably no chance bomb if this goes straight home with a large crowd, and no one should be surprised if the latest chapter in Northug’s behavioral story contains him claiming to be on the streaming Christmas song charts.

Although it is very likely that it will all end with the song trick that strengthens the reputation of the Trøndelag man towards Christmas, this time it is a game element about how he occupies the public space. Bowing down alone has always been one of the most fascinating things about Northug, especially when it has been difficult to distinguish between seriousness, humor and irony.

If the backdrop hadn’t been so serious this time, it would have been possible to wonder if it would be a humorous introduction to Northug becoming a Christmas musician with a puffy blindfold. But a few months after such a serious case was discovered, there are hardly any thoughts in a funny direction behind the song.

And this is exactly where the former ski king chooses a strategy that is completely on the edge. If you use an issue as serious as endangering the lives and health of others in a conscious public relations battle, there is a short way from singing cleanly to making the whole project seem unmusical.

Here it is worth remembering that this is not the first time Petter Northug has had a criminal case against him.

Most forgave him quickly after driving while intoxicated in 2014, which ended with 50 days in prison (served with an anklet) and a fine of 185,000 crowns. Now he has come a long way to be able to be forgiven once again, thanks a lot to his own openness.

But there is a point that has been little advanced in the last case, and it presupposes that you have two thoughts in your head at the same time.

A person with drug-related problems must, of course, receive help and support in fighting them. But Northug was sober when he decided to film himself at insanely dangerous speeds, and then it can be argued how much goodwill from one side of the case should be transferred to the other.

Now the main character himself uses large amounts of pathos to perform his own Christmas prayer. He is probably heard in prayer by the majority of Norwegians, who let him in once again, now also as a singer and songwriter. And this majority probably cares little about the ambiguous public relations element surrounding “Petter’s Christmas.”

Petter Northug has achieved tremendous accomplishments as an athlete. But it is also an achievement for me how he can be forgiven for his mistakes off the track.