Heidi Weng on Therese Johaug's return: "She has to take it up with the media"

Längdskidor: Heidi Weng om att Therese Johaug är tillbaka: ”Får ta dusten med media” | SVT Sport

Heidi Weng was ahead of the returning Therese Johaug for the second time in a week. Having the superstar back provides relief to the other athletes. "She is the one who has to take the heat from the media," says Weng to SVT Sport.

It felt like turning back the clock a few years when Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng led the field in a 20-kilometer race. Last weekend, Weng won by six-tenths ahead of Johaug in a 10-kilometer freestyle race in Beitostölen. Today, Weng finished in third place with Johaug in fourth.

The two Norwegians once had a ten-second lead and faced criticism for letting Jessie Diggins and Jonna Sundling back into the race. There was a reason for that.

"I said I would help as much as I could, but in the last lap, I couldn’t give any more; I was out of energy, but I’m very satisfied with my race," Weng said.

With Johaug back in the team, there’s no question about who gets the most attention. "It’s nice to have her back; she’s the one who gets the heat from the media and is the best at handling the pressure, which is positive for me."

Johaug retired in late winter 2022 and gave birth to her daughter Kristina on National Day, May 17, 2023. "For me, it feels like she has never put her skis on a shelf, and I think she has been thinking about coming back for a long time."

Even today’s winner, Jessie Diggins, appreciates having the 36-year-old Johaug back on the track. "It was so cool to race behind her; it felt like in the old times. I’m very impressed with her comeback. It’s fun that she’s back.

The article captures Weng’s insights on Johaug's return, the dynamics of current races, and provides a snapshot of the competition landscape and attitudes among elite skiers in cross-country skiing.