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.
Petter Northug: – This Is My Olympic Medal
FasterSkier · March 9, 2006
, 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></div><div class=)
— 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.
How was it to win here compared to junior Worlds?
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!
Says the racer that has had Bjorn Daehlie and Thomas Alsgaard as his idols.
— 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.
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).
— I’m not training anything particular for the sprint. I could feel yesterday’s sprint in my legs today.
But is it correct that you hoped to be eliminated in yesterday’s quarterfinal in order to have more energy for today’s race.
— No, I gave it my best yesterday.
You are from the same region as Marit Bjorgen, do you guys work out together?
No, but I do work out with Frode Estil. When he skips a workout to recover, I rollerski (draws laughter from the journalists).
Did you talk to Frode Estil during today’s race?
– 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.
Swedish media then wanted to know if today’s victory this means more pressure in Norway?
— 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)