Therese Johaug's Husband Came to the Rescue in a Tight Spot – Superstar Reveals Hard Message Before Returning to Ruka

Live coverage of the World Cup competitions from Ruka on Yle's channels. The Ruka World Cup begins with the women's 10 km classical style race on Friday at 11:00. Live broadcast on TV2 and Yle Areena starting at 10:45!

KUUSAMO.
Norwegian skiing superstar Therese Johaug returns to World Cup competitions this Friday after a 992-day break.

Johaug's life has changed a lot since her last competition. She has gotten married, become pregnant, and given birth. However, her longing to return to competition, where she has traditionally dominated, has brought her back to the tracks.

When Johaug returned to the tracks in late November 2018 after a year and a half suspension, she held a press conference for the media at the airport.

A similar media frenzy awaited Therese Johaug in Kuusamo in 2018.

This time, all major Nordic media are on site as Johaug remarks on her return in front of Norway's support truck.
"When I came here yesterday, I thought, what on earth am I doing here," Johaug chuckled.

This is how Therese Johaug reacted when she saw the large media crowd waiting for her in Ruka. Photo: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures

A Tough Message from Her Supportive Husband
The long-anticipated return was sealed in August. In May there were already strong indications when Norwegian ski legend Marit Bjørgen, who competed alongside Johaug, and Johaug’s former coach Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplass were appointed coaches of Norway's women's national team.

However, a lot has happened since spring and August. Last week, Johaug revealed to Norway's NRK that she had to "hit the emergency brake."

She explained that two training sessions a day along with taking care of her daughter Kristin were too much, and her overall load exceeded her capacity to handle it. This intense situation brought Johaug to tears.

Johaug has also shared how she hasn't gotten enough sleep, and her recovery has been delayed. The responsibility has now been shifted to her husband Nils Jakob Hoff. He and their now 1.5-year-old daughter Kristin have moved to sleep in different rooms.

Hoff has taken on the responsibility of putting their child to sleep. He has also taken a several-month break from his medical work so that Johaug can fully focus on her life as an athlete. Johaug’s top goal is the 50 km classical race at the World Championships in Trondheim this March.

Yle Urheilu asked Johaug what her spouse said to her just before heading out for the World Cup opener.
– "He said to have fun. When you have fun, you compete well. Just kick some ass!" Johaug said with a smile.

Johaug mentioned that her life as a mother has changed a lot since her previous competition years.
– "I take her to daycare at eight in the morning. Then I go train, eat, and shower. I have meetings, then back to training. I pick her up at four. The days are tight," Johaug describes.

Therese Johaug trained on Ruka's trails on Thursday. Photo: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures

Exciting Praise for Ruka
36-year-old Johaug competed for the first time this winter last week in Beitostølen. She beat Heidi Weng by 39 seconds in the traditional 10 km.

In the free 10 km, however, she lost to Weng by 0.6 seconds. In Finland, skiing experts have been skeptical about Johaug's condition while in Norway, they have praised her unequivocally after her dominant traditional 10 km win.

Johaug herself is taking a measured approach to the season's first World Cup races. She names Sweden's Ebba Andersson as the biggest favorite for Friday's opening event in the traditional 10 km.

– "I'm not sure if I'm fit. I think my condition was good in Beitostølen. The traditional 10 km was at a good level. I know the other girls are in good shape.

– "I believe the other girls can fight better for the win. Of course, I'm fighting for first place, but I don’t think I’m in the same peak condition as a couple of years ago," Johaug says.

The last time Johaug competed in Ruka in November 2021 in the traditional 10 km, that race is remembered for Johaug's loss to Sweden's Frida Karlsson, who achieved victory.

However, Johaug notes that she has many good memories from Ruka.
– "The atmosphere here is excellent. We have small cabins on the slopes from where we can go straight to the track. The competition tracks here are tough and nice," Johaug exclaimed to Yle, adding one more joker to her praises.

– "Santa Claus is always here. This is a good start to the World Cup season.

Kläbo Expects Tough Competitors from Niskanen
For the Norwegian men, the traditional 10 km race on Friday is a tight spot right away, as the athletes from the fjord nation will show their skills ahead of the World Championships in Trondheim.

As usual, there is a rush from Norway for this distance. This fact is acknowledged by the country's star Johannes Hösflot Kläbo.

He raised Iivo Niskanen as his toughest competitor for the World Cup opener on Friday, in his press conference.

Johannes Hösflot Kläbo ponders on Thursday in Ruka. Photo: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures

Traditionally, the normal distances in the classical technique are parade distances for Finland's top male skier. However, an unusual situation is seen at Ruka this time, as the competition weekend begins with the traditional normal distance.

Normally, the weekend in the Ruka World Cup has started with sprints. This year, only 2002-2006 has gone by when sprinting was not on the program.
– "There must be many reasons for that change, but at least in Europe, sprints have good viewer numbers. So, they've probably been moved to Saturday. For me, it doesn't really matter," Kläbo commented.

Updated at 16:18. Added remarks from Johannes Hösflot Kläbo.