On Monday, Petter Northug said that he would not go to the weekend’s NM at Beitostølen, but would rather prioritize altitude training and the run-up to Vasaloppet on March 3. Then, on Wednesday, the former ski king made a U-turn. Then he announced that the NM at Beitostølen was plan A, specifically the relay where he would go for Strindheim IL.
– Strindheim needs Petter Northug now. There will be two others on the team who are very lucky, the 38-year-old added VG on Wednesday.
Northug said at the same time that he also did not rule out going on Saturday’s 20 kilometers with a change of skis.
But on Saturday, the counter notification came. Northug has changed his mind again: There will be no NM for him this season. Petter Northug’s team manager, Pål Trøan Aune, confirms this to NTB.
– It is the Vasaloppet and the rest of the Ski Classics that are the focus for Petter Northug this season, says Pål Trøan Aune.
Thus, there will also be no dream duel between Petter Northug and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in the form of a neighboring club showdown in the NM relay.
Last year it was Kjelsås IL that won the NM relay in both the women’s and men’s classes. With the club’s achievements so far in this year’s NM, Kjelsås are both defending champions and big favorites for the gold in both classes on Sunday afternoon.
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These go to the NM at Beitostølen from 22 to 25 February: Here is everything you need to know about the participants, program and details
After the stellar performance with second place in his comeback at elite level in traditional all-round cross-country skiing during the Norwegian Cup at Nes three weeks ago, many have been curious as to whether the former skiing king would compete in the National Championships in order to possibly qualify for a place in the World Cup squad that will walk five miles in Holmenkollen in March.
FACT: NM 2024
Who: Men and women senior and para, as well as the 10 best juniors in sprint and distance
What: Norwegian skiing championship part 1
Where: Beitostølen
When: 22 to 25 February
Program and details, day by day
Thursday 22 February: Distance race freestyle individual start
09:00: Stop 5km
10:00: 10km freestyle, women and para standing
12:00: 10km freestyle, men
Everything from start lists, details and results
Friday 23 February: Sprint classic
12:15: Sprint prolog, para
12:45: Sprint prologue, women and men
14:45; Sprint heat and finals, para
15:15: Sprint heat and finals, women and men
Everything from start lists, details and results
Saturday 24 February: Skiathlon Joint start
11:45: 20km Skiathlon (10km +10km) joint start, women
13:15: 20km Skiathlon (10km +10km) joint start, men
Everything from start lists, details and results
Sunday 25 February: Relay
12:20: 3x5km relay, women
13:35: 3x10km relay, men
Everything from start lists, details and results