Jens Arne Svartedal has launched Petter Northug (20) as one of his toughest competitors to win the overall World Cup. (See Svartedal: World Cup more important than medal at Worlds) Northug doesn’t believe that he is capable of the overall victory this season.
Jens Arne Svartedal isn’t the only one that predicts a good season for first year senior Petter Northug of Norway this season. The bookmakers are also counting on Northug as being one of the skiers on top of the overall World Cup list. Bookmaker Unibet has Northug in second place overall. (see Angerer And Björgen Favorites To Win The World Cup)
Stability is a key word in a long and hard season. Northug feels based upon previous experiences that he doesn’t have that stability yet.
– I had a superseason last year, but I wasn’t in great shape before after Christmas. That has been typical for me, but I’m working on skiing faster earlier this season, but we’ll see, says Northug.
Northug captured three gold medals at Junior Worlds after Christmas last season, won his first World Cup victory, won an individual race and the relay, skiing the last leg for his team at the Norwegian championship. He was then the center of a huge discussion when he wasn’t selected for the Norwegian Olympic team despite great results.
– So much happened in one period and it was good that the season finally ended. I needed a break, says Northug.
He still believes in doing well in the World Cup.
– I’ll frequently capture points. That will start already in Düsseldorf, promises Northug.
Northug has been training at home in Meraker lately. He can occasionally feel the workload from a hard season preparation.
– You are not going feel good all the time when you are training as hard as I have this summer.
Feeling the pressure to perform
– Sure, I feel a certain degree of expectations. But I still don’t feel that I’m the one that has to win yet. I still have lots to learn, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t fight hard to do my best, says the 20-year old.
Source: Langrenn.com
