Petter Northug with a new World Record: "We brought it home"

Long Distance

Petter Northug with a new World Record: “We brought it home”

by INGEBORG SCHEVE/Leandro Lutz • 31.12.2023

Photo: Janteloppet

After 15 years in Swiss hands, Petter Northug has brought a new World Record home to Norway. It happened at Hafjell on Saturday afternoon.

“That record belongs in Norway,” says Petter Northug to Langrenn.com about the new World Record that now stands firmly on Norwegian soil.

Since 2008, Switzerland has held the record for completing the world’s largest cross-country training session. But that was until December 30, 2023.

Now Norway, led by Petter Northug, has completed the world’s largest cross-country skiing training session: 640 people took part in Saturday’s session at Mosetertoppen, organized by Petter Northug, his Pro Team, Team Janteloppet, and his signature event Janteloppet.

“The goal was to bring the record back from Switzerland to Norway, where it belongs. And we succeeded,” says Northug, now setting a new Norwegian World record.

“It’s a great way to start the new year.”

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Contributing to the joy of skiing

But the Pro Team athlete also had another ulterior motive for the world record project: To help get more people out on skis and increase interest in cross-country skiing. And that’s why the event was scheduled for the sixth day of Christmas.

“Christmas is the ideal time to increase training motivation and set new records,” says Northug about the record attempt.

The session consisted of a short warm-up followed by a main part with balance and technique as the focus. After that, there were opportunities for an enjoyable ski tour.

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Kick-off for Janteburn: A new concept

Northug says that the world record attempt in December fits in well as a kick-off for one of his new projects for the season: “Janteburn.”

“The team’s head and mine are now full of planning towards Janteloppet 2024, which takes place in April and will also be the Ski Classics Grand Finale. Our vision has always been for Janteloppet to be more than just a ski race,” says Northug, and elaborates:

“We are ready to expand Janteloppet with culture and new traditions, and this season, we are introducing a brand-new concept: Janteburn. It’s an idea that has matured and will add a new dimension to the event.

In short, what is the Janteburn concept?

“Dare to stand out; you can do it,” says Petter Northug.

“Standing up for what I believe in and never hesitating to be myself is something I’ve always lived by and believe in. Janteloppet represents not only a sports arena, but also a platform for breaking boundaries and challenging norms.”