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OBERSTDORF (VG) Junior Helene Marie Fossesholm (19) faces Sweden’s Frida Karlsson (21) in the final stage of Friday’s World Cup relay. World Cup heroine Anette Bøe likes the Norwegian outlet.
– We have had a good dialogue about this with the coaches. Both Helene and I said that we could go to both the third and fourth stages. We found out that the best thing was that I was third and Helene fourth, says Johaug about retiring to VG.
- Norwegian team: Tiril Udnes Weng, Heidi Weng, Therese Johaug and Helene Marie Fossesholm
- Sweden team: Jonna Sundling, Charlotte Kalla, Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson
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In addition to the Seefeld WC two years ago, where Johaug was the anchor stage and lost to Stina Nilsson of the Swedes, Johaug used to go to the classical stage.
In Oberstdorf, the trails are more difficult in skating than in the classics, which is why Johaug is now in the third stage.
– I have lowered my shoulders and they have told me that I will only do the best I can. We know that Sweden is a clear favorite. I’m going to go as fast as I can. The pressure is not on us, says 19-year-old Fossesholm.
JUNIORS: In 2019, Frida Karlsson took gold in the 15-kilometer junior WC ahead of Helene Marie Fossesholm. On Thursday, they will go for World Cup gold in the senior relay. Photo: Nukari, Jussi / Lehtikuva
Bøe: The Swedes are bragging
She will be the first junior to anchor for the Norwegian women’s team in the WC since Marthe Kristoffersen entered Norway in fourth place at Sapporo in 2009.
– It’s a tough outlet. It’s just plain fun. Why not Fossesholm in the last stage? I’m not worried, says Anette Bøe, who won relay gold at the 1982 World Cup in Oslo.
– Isn’t it too offensive to put a 19-year-old in the final stage?
GOLDEN HEROES: The Norwegian team that won the 1982 Holmenkollen World Cup. From left to right: Inger Helene Nybråten, Anette Bøe, Brit Pettersen and Berit Aunli. Photo: NTB
– Not when it’s her. Fossesholm is quite tough, even though I was nervous before the first race. It seems very offensive. His running skills aren’t bad, Bøe responds.
Everyone thinks it will be a Norwegian-Swedish match in Thursday’s relay. Teams have been pushing each other all winter long. Bøe thinks the Swedes are bragging when they say Norway is the favorite.
– It’s just to give up pressure on yourself. So it is between Sweden and Norway. They are not the best of friends when it comes to sports. It is clear that Sweden is the strongest on paper, says Bøe.
Johaug: Everything to win
Fossesholm was asked what he thinks of the match against Karlsson.
– Frida has performed better than me all year and I know that she is better than me. The pressure is on Frida, not on me. But I will fight with picks and claws, says Fossesholm.
Johaug believes that no one expects Fossesholm to drop Karlsson at the last stage.
– Sweden is a big favorite. We have everything to win in this relay, says Johaug.
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Karlsson participated in the relay gold in 2019. He says he knows the nerves, but that is a good sign.
– I’ll take the feeling from that day in Seefeld. It was a wonderful day. I just remember how much fun it was from breakfast to late night, says Karlsson.
The reigning champions destroy Linn Svahn, who prior to the World Cup was an obvious choice at the anchor stage.
Frida Karlsson has asked Sweden to close the country before the relay:
