Therese Johaug Wins in Comeback at Beitostølen

Beitostølen, Norway - Therese Johaug (36) made a significant impact in her return to competitive skiing on Saturday. At the highly anticipated season opener in Beitostølen, Johaug participated in the women's 10 km classic event, which had many spectators curious about her form after returning from a hiatus.

Just before her race, Johaug expressed some nervousness about the return to competitive action, stating, "Now I feel completely nauseous. I have done this about a thousand times, so it's just silly." However, she quickly dispelled any doubts about her readiness.

By the time she reached the 6.3 km mark, Johaug had established a formidable lead, clocking in with a 50.5 second advantage over her closest competitor. The commentator from NRK, Jann Post, remarked on Johaug's commanding performance, asserting, "It’s knockout from Johaug!"

Ultimately, she finished with a time of 26:32.1, securing a clear victory with a lead of 39.6 seconds over Heidi Weng in second place. Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs trailed behind in third, finishing 56.2 seconds after Johaug. After the race, Johaug expressed satisfaction with her performance while noting areas for improvement, particularly in her technique.

This distance event will also be part of the World Championships set to be held in Trondheim next year, with only two opportunities remaining in the World Cup before the championships.