Source: Unni Odegard, Langrenn.com — Translated by Torbjorn Karlsen
Junior skier Petter Northug won his first World Cup victory in Falun, Sweden on Wednesday and answered to not being selected to race in the Olympics.
, but now I’m looking forward to the next Olympics in Vancouver. </p>
<p>— Being left out contributed to my success at junior Worlds (captured gold in every event including the relay). I was very motivated to prove that I can race fast. My strategy for today’s race was to stay in the lead group in the classic part of the race, since skating is my favorite and I know I’m good in the final sprint. I used the outside edge in the last turn and blocked Axel Teichman. That gave me a good position. I intentionally used the outside ski after having studied the stadium here in Falun on video. It’s the first time I’m here and I like the course profile. The classic course is easy and that suits me well, while the skate portion is harder which suits me well too. </p>
<p>So are you going to win the upcoming Holmenkollen 50-k World Cup skate race this weekend as well?</p>
<p>— No, I’m not the favorite in the 50-k, but I will race. I’m not in peak shape anymore; I have used too much gunpowder up to this point. But it was great to cross the finish line first today and succeed, because I have been training for this race for months.</p>
<p>How was it to win here compared to junior Worlds?</p>
<p>Junior Worlds is like a kid’s race compared to this. Here I got to race the best, and some have claimed that I wouldn’t hold up against a World Cup field. This shows that I belong among these boys!</p>
<p>Says the racer that has had Bjorn Daehlie and Thomas Alsgaard as his idols.</p>
<p>— I was in Trondheim and applauded for Bjorn Daehlie when Worlds was in Trondheim. And I have learned a lot from Thomas Alsgaard’s technique. It’s probably a mix of his and mine that makes me ski this well.</p>
<p>Petter views himself as a distance skier and not as a sprinter (he was 7th in the World Cup sprint the day before the pursuit).</p>
<p>— I’m not training anything particular for the sprint. I could feel yesterday’s sprint in my legs today.</p>
<p>But is it correct that you hoped to be eliminated in yesterday’s quarterfinal in order to have more energy for today’s race.</p>
<p>— No, I gave it my best yesterday.</p>
<p>You are from the same region as Marit Bjorgen, do you guys work out together?</p>
<p>No, but I do work out with Frode Estil. When he skips a workout to recover, I rollerski (draws laughter from the journalists).</p>
<p>Did you talk to Frode Estil during today’s race?</p>
<p>– No, but I looked at him, and when I did I could tell that he was tired. I have seen that expression many times….I means a lot for me if Frode continues after this season, it will help me improve, and I believe that we both will benefit from continuing to work out together.</p>
<p>Swedish media then wanted to know if today’s victory this means more pressure in Norway?</p>
<p>— No, I don’t believe so. Maybe some, but that’s part of being a ski racer. I won’t be doing much differently next season. It will be a little more than the roughly 800 hours I did this year. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Worlds (in Japan)</p>
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