Johaug Admits Doubt: – What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Johaug dominated her competition in the skiathlon event at Lillehammer, an encouraging comeback after voicing some self-doubt earlier in the season.

During the skate portion of the skiathlon, she pulled ahead from a group that included Heidi Weng, Ebba Andersson, Astrid Øyre Slind, and Jessie Diggins and never looked back, securing a substantial victory.

Johaug expressed that today's race was her best performance yet this season, stating, "This gives me confidence and shows me that it's possible. So far, I've been wondering, 'What have I gotten myself into?' I’ve performed before, I know what is expected of me, and I also know what I expect from myself." She emphasized that she isn't in the sport to finish in lower positions; she aims to compete for the top.

Experts from TV 2 noted that Johaug's skating technique has improved significantly, reminding them of her previous excellence. Petter Northug also noted that her performance at Lillehammer could be a precursor to her aspirations for the upcoming World Championships.

Johaug, Weng, and Slind appear to be strong contenders for the skiathlon event at the World Championships in Trondheim, where they will compete for the final Norwegian spot.