Swedish Skiers Embrace Therese Johaug's Comeback

The Swedish national ski team remains undeterred by the much-anticipated comeback of Norwegian star Therese Johaug. Known for her impressive collection of major competition medals—primarily gold—Johaug's return to the competitive circuit is viewed with a mix of respect and excitement by her Swedish counterparts.

Ebba Andersson, a World Champion and Olympic medalist herself, stated that she wasn't surprised by Johaug's announcement. After focusing on family life following the Beijing Olympics, where she welcomed her first child in 2023, Johaug is now poised to make her mark once again, targeting a spot in the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim.

Andersson believes Johaug remains a formidable competitor and anticipates that she will employ the same fast-paced tactics that made her a standout in previous World Cup events. “If Johaug returns at her previous level, we can expect her to set the pace early in races,” Andersson noted, echoing the sentiments of her teammates.

Moa Ilar, another member of the Swedish team, expressed curiosity about whether Johaug will continue her aggressive starting strategy, acknowledging that the landscape of competition has shifted during Johaug's absence.

Jonna Sundling also welcomed Johaug's return, emphasizing her eagerness to compete against the best in the sport. Sundling remarked that Johaug's retirement always seemed tentative, as if she were still a contender in the field.

Adding a perspective from across the border, former Norwegian skier Petter Northug suggested that the Swedish skiers' comments might be part of a psychological game. While acknowledging Johaug's prowess, he highlighted that Swedish stars Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson are currently among the frontrunners. Nevertheless, Northug believes that the Swedes are not feeling any intimidation from Johaug’s return to competition.