Johaug’s Dominant Victory: Second Win in Lillehammer

Therese Johaug dominated the skiathlon in Lillehammer, securing her second World Cup victory since her comeback. Johaug's performance was unrivaled as she quickly set a fast pace, outperforming competitors like Ebba Andersson and Jonna Sundling. Toward the end of the classic portion of the race, at 36 years old, Johaug accelerated, creating a significant gap. After the ski swap, her lead only increased.

With 2.5 kilometers remaining, Johaug was a whole minute ahead of Andersson and others vying for podium spots. This victory marked her 84th World Cup win. Johaug, who has previously secured gold medals in both the Olympics and World Championships, remarked on her exceptional separation from the field, stating, "At that point, Therese was in a league of her own."

Following her victory, Johaug announced her intention to compete in the Davos events next weekend, which will be her last appearances before the World Championships in Trondheim in 2025. The Swedish team had only four athletes participating in Lillehammer as Frida Karlsson rested due to illness, alongside Linn Svahn and Moa Lundgren, who presented cold symptoms, limiting the squad's ability to maximize their entries in the competition.