Petter Northug Withdraws from Vasaloppet After Illness Troubles – Season May Be Over

Petter Northug, once one of the top figures in skiing, has announced that he will not participate in the upcoming Vasaloppet, one of the season’s major long-distance cross-country skiing events. Northug, who is 39 years old, explained that his body is not in a condition to handle the demands of high-level competition, as he is still struggling with the aftermath of a severe illness.

Northug revealed that he was diagnosed with norovirus a few weeks ago. He described the experience as involving "terrible days" with frequent bathroom visits, rashes, and fever. Earlier in the season, back problems had also forced him to miss some competitions, although he managed an impressive return by finishing eighth in the 10 kilometer classical race at the Norwegian National Championships held at Gåsbu.

With his decision to drop out of Vasaloppet—scheduled for this coming Sunday—the rest of his season now appears to be in jeopardy, with even the second part of the ski-NM potentially at risk. Northug’s withdrawal marks a significant setback for his ambitions this season.