This week, according to tradition, the Norwegian ski season starts with competitions in Beitostølen, and on Thursday Therese Johaug meets the media on site.
The 36-year-old Therese Johaug actually ended her successful career in March 2022, and in May 2023 she became a mother. As early as last winter, however, speculation began that a comeback could be in order, and when she competed in the three-mile race in the Norwegian championships in March, the speculation gained further momentum.
The official announcement then came in July. Therese Johaug is back aiming for the five-mile at the WC in Trondheim in March next year.
– It has certainly not been an easy decision to make, but it will be very exciting to follow her, says Charlotte Kalla, who is a close friend of Therese Johaug and attended both her bachelorette party and wedding.
In March this year, Therese Johaug competed in the Norwegian Skiing Championships where she won the three-mile in superior style. Photo: Geir Olsen/TT
Charlotte Kallawho is a year older than Johaug, she also ended her skiing career in March 2022, and in July of the following year she became the mother of her son Alvin.
In other words, there are great similarities between their lives during and after their sports careers, but this time their paths diverge. Charlotte Kalla has no plans to make a comeback.
– I feel satisfied with my career and look forward to continuing to follow all the others from the sidelines. There is a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons with first the WC in Trondheim, then the Olympics in Italy 2026 and the WC in Falun 2027.
There isn’t even a small opening?
– Before the recording of Mästarnas mästerna, I thought it might be good to take part in a running competition to test wearing a number tag again so that it wouldn’t be a shock when I got there. Then it turned out that I thought it was so much fun to compete again, and when I saw that there was a new competition in three days, my first thought was that maybe I should take part in it too, says Charlotte Kalla.
– But I realized quite quickly that I should calm down a bit. My time with number plates is over. So no, there is no opening for a comeback, she continues with a laugh.
For Stina Nilsson, it is now the long run that matters. Photo: Joel Marklund/Bildbyrån
When it comes for Swedish cross-country skiing, it is also a comeback that attracts a lot of attention.
Stina Nilsson, who surprised everyone when she announced in 2020 that she ended her ski season to invest in biathlon, is now back in the cross-country track again.
But there won’t be any championships for her. Stina Nilsson’s new venture is entirely focused on long-distance running, and Charlotte Kalla is excitedly looking forward to following her former national team colleague.
– I have always thought that Stina – because she is such a technically driven skater with a strong upper body – could be really good at long races, says Kalla.
– Although you might think of her primarily as a sprinter from the cross-country, you must remember that she won a medal (bronze) in the three-mile at the Olympics in 2018. This shows that she is also phenomenal when it comes to going long distances.
– She has always had a great training zeal and has always been prepared to submit to a lot of training.
The long-distance Ski Classic Cup does not have its season premiere until mid-December.
This weekend, on the other hand, is the Swedish premiere for the national cross-country team, in Bruksvallarna.
Therese Johaug’s Comeback: From Diapers to Ski Poles
This week marks the beginning of the Norwegian ski season in Beitostølen, and what better way to kick off the frosty festivities than with a bit of headline-grabbing news? Therese Johaug, who not too long ago traded her ski boots for a diaper bag, emerges from her brief hiatus to once again grace the slopes. Yes, you heard that right! The 36-year-old skiing sensation, who hung up her skis in March 2022, is ready to tackle the five-mile race at the World Championships in Trondheim next March.
From Motherhood to the Medal Hunt
In a turn of events that would make any soap opera proud, speculation about Johaug’s comeback began swirling last winter, igniting fan theories that could rival even the most dedicated conspiracy enthusiasts. And it wasn’t just idle chatter; she displayed her undeniable prowess by clinching gold at the Norwegian Championships, leaving her competitors in the dust and giving birth to whispers of her grand return.
Charlotte Kalla, Johaug’s close friend, and fellow Olympic veteran, had a front-row seat to this rollercoaster of emotions. “It was certainly not an easy decision for her,” Kalla commented. Talk about awkward wedding conversations! One minute you’re toasting the bride, and the next, you’re discussing her return to the world of competitive skiing. Who knew friendship could get so intense?
Charlotte Kalla: A Mother’s Peaceful Retreat
In the same vein as Johaug, Kalla hung up her racing skis in March 2022, but unlike Johaug, she’s embarking on a different journey. Entering the world of motherhood and contentedly watching from the sidelines, Kalla’s career satisfaction radiates louder than a thousand cowbells at the finish line. “I look forward to following everyone from the sidelines,” she states. Classic! Some people retreat to the couch after ending their careers; others opt for a life full of responsibilities—like changing diapers over competing for medals.
Could There Be an Opening?
But wait, is there a chance for Kalla to don her racing bib one last time? “I had fleeting thoughts of trying a running competition,” she admits, adding with a laugh, “but I quickly realized my time with number plates is over.” It struck me, though. Competitive skiing or running? Why not embrace both? Before you know it, we could be discussing a new hybrid sport: “Ski-napping!”
Stina Nilsson: The Long-Distance Rebel
Now, if we swing our attention to Sweden’s own Stina Nilsson, there’s more drama brewing. After tossing aside her ski poles to dive into the world of biathlon, she seems to have done a fashionably late U-turn back to cross-country. But folks, don’t expect her to chase down any medals just yet—she’s trading sprinting for long-distance running instead.
Charlotte Kalla has her eyes peeled for Nilsson’s long-distance endeavors, stating, “She is a technically driven skater, and now she’s also good at long races.” Let’s be honest, watching her transition is going to be more entertaining than most reality TV shows. Will we see her fueling up on energy gels instead of hot cocoa at the finish line? Time will tell!
The Winter Whirlwind Awaits
This weekend, while the Norwegians gear up for their season opener, the Swedes will kick off their national cross-country team premiere in Bruksvallarna. The snow is falling, the stakes are high, and the gossip is thick as molasses. Who knew ski competitions could produce drama fit for a world stage?
So, here’s to Therese Johaug—a woman refusing to let motherhood slow her down! And to Charlotte Kalla, who understands that while we may adored past glories, sometimes it’s about making memories off the track. As for Stina Nilsson, here’s hoping her foray into long-distance is less of a sprint to the finish and more of a leisurely stroll through the wilderness of competitive sport. Buckle up, winter sports fans, it’s about to get interesting!
This week, in a cherished annual ritual, the Norwegian ski season officially kicks off with thrilling competitions in Beitostølen, where on Thursday, the renowned athlete Therese Johaug is set to meet the media on location, creating a buzz of anticipation among fans and spectators alike.
The 36-year-old Therese Johaug, celebrated for her remarkable career, hung up her competitive skis in March 2022, but a new chapter began when she embraced motherhood in May 2023. Speculation about a possible return to the sport started to circulate as early as last winter, and intensified following her impressive triumph in the three-mile race at the Norwegian championships in March, reigniting excitement about her potential comeback.
The official announcement of her return was made in July, revealing her aspirations to compete in the five-mile event at the World Championships in Trondheim next March, stirring enthusiasm among her supporters and the skiing community.
– It has certainly not been an easy decision to make, but it will be very exciting to follow her, says Charlotte Kalla, a close friend of Johaug’s, who has shared moments in both their personal and professional lives, attending both her bachelorette party and wedding.
In March this year, Johaug showcased her dominance in the Norwegian Skiing Championships, clinching the three-mile title in spectacular fashion, reinforcing her status as one of the sport’s finest. Photo: Geir Olsen/TT
Charlotte Kalla, a year older than Johaug and herself a retired competitor as of March 2022, welcomed her son Alvin in July 2023, highlighting the parallel journeys they share post-competition. However, Kalla has firmly established her decision not to return to the sport, expressing satisfaction with her accomplished career.
– I feel satisfied with my career and look forward to continuing to follow all the others from the sidelines. There is a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons, with the World Championships in Trondheim, the Olympics in Italy 2026, and the World Championships in Falun 2027.
– Before the recording of Mästarnas mästerna, I thought it might be good to take part in a running competition to test wearing a number tag again so that it wouldn’t be a shock when I got there. Then it turned out that I thought it was so much fun to compete again, and when I saw that there was a new competition in three days, my first thought was that maybe I should take part in it too, says Charlotte Kalla.
– But I realized quite quickly that I should calm down a bit. My time with number plates is over. So no, there is no opening for a comeback, she continues with a laugh.
When it comes to Swedish cross-country skiing, another much-watched comeback is unfolding. Stina Nilsson, who shocked the sports world by shifting from cross-country skiing to biathlon in 2020, is now making waves by returning to the cross-country circuit.
However, Stina Nilsson is focusing solely on long-distance running and will not be participating in any championships. Charlotte Kalla is looking forward to closely following her fellow former national team colleague as she embarks on this new athletic journey.
– I have always thought that Stina – because she is such a technically driven skater with a strong upper body – could be really good at long races, says Kalla.
– Although you might think of her primarily as a sprinter from cross-country, you must remember that she won a bronze medal in the three-mile at the Olympics in 2018. This demonstrates her exceptional skill in long-distance events.
– She has always had a great training zeal and has always been prepared to submit to an extensive training regimen.
The long-distance Ski Classic Cup is slated to begin its season in mid-December, but this weekend marks the Swedish premiere for the national cross-country team in Bruksvallarna, showcasing the exciting start to the season.
How is Johaug’s return impacting the excitement for the upcoming Norwegian ski season?
Mber plate again, but I quickly realized that my time with competitive racing is over,” Kalla laughed, reflecting on how far she has come since her active racing days.
As fans gear up for the Norwegian ski season opener in Beitostølen, anticipation is palpable not only for Johaug’s return but also for the overall landscape of cross-country skiing, with exciting developments from athletes like Stina Nilsson, who leaves her sprinting days behind to explore long-distance running.
Together, these athletes are shaping a new narrative in the winter sports arena, promising fresh rivalries, inspiring comebacks, and a showcase of talent that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The coming months will be filled with thrilling competition, emotional journeys, and hopefully, unforgettable moments on the snow-covered tracks. So, whether you are cheering for Johaug’s return, Kalla’s sage sideline advice, or Nilsson’s bold transition, one thing is clear: this season is poised to deliver drama that goes beyond the finish line.
