Petter Northug, Team Janteloppet, has had to withdraw from all ski races until the new year.

This is bad news for the former cross-country skiing king, who had already missed both FIS races in Muonio and the Norwegian national season premiere at Beitostølen in November.

The reason remains the same: a persistent upper arm/shoulder overload.

“Petter is making progress with the overload, but it’s still a bit too early for competition. He aims to return to competition in the New Year”, says Northug’s Pro Team Director Pål Trøan Aune to Adresseavisen.

Hoped to Compete in Ski Classics this Weekend

As recently as two days ago, the 37-year-old told Langrenn.com that he was still optimistic about being able to participate in the Ski Classics season premiere next weekend. He emphasized that the injury was still not 100 percent healed.

However, Northug now realizes that both races in the Ski Classics premiere in Bad Gastein are off, as well as the two subsequent Ski Classics races in Val Venosta on December 16 and 17.

Northug had initially planned to make his season debut at the FIS races in Muonio from November 9 to 11, where he would compete in a cross-country ski race with the World Cup elite for the first time in five years.

However, a persistent shoulder injury he suffered at the end of an intense training month in October forced Northug to withdraw from both the races in Finland and the national season premiere at Beitostølen the following week.

How is the shoulder injury that prevented you from participating in Muonio and Beitostølen?

“It’s starting to get better, but it still bears the mark of lingering effects from the October training camp. I would say it’s at 90 percent”, says Northug to Langrenn.com.

Reveals Ambitious Goals and Swedish Duel

Petter Northug, who has 13 World Championship gold medals in his collection, made a comeback at the elite level ahead of last season.

From his debut season in Ski Classics, Northug has a fifth-place finish at Orsa Grönklitt, which is his best result, along with a victory in the long-distance Toblach-Cortina race. Now, the 37-year-old is ready for his second Ski Classics Pro Tour season with a handpicked Ski Classics Pro Team and lofty ambitions.

Read More: Petter Northug before the start of the Ski Classics season: “I have a completely different starting point this year.”

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentaries on SC Play.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

Register HERE as a Member