Therese Johaug, the favorite in most distance races, couldn’t handle the pressure and finished the World Championships without a gold medal—while the Swedish women dominated.

As reported on Langd.se, Sweden didn’t top the overall medal table, nor did Therese Johaug. With Johannes Høsflot Klæbo competing for the other side, that task seemed nearly impossible—especially given the home advantage of the Norwegian skiers.

But this wasn’t the same dominant Norway we’re used to seeing, at least not on the women’s side. Sweden stole all the women’s gold medals from Norway. That happening on the men’s side wasn’t surprising, and for Sweden’s male skiers, who are used to being underdogs, William Poromaa’s silver felt like gold. But for Norway’s women to go without a single gold medal at a home World Championship, despite Linn Svahn being injured and the immense crowd support at Granåsen—that must sting a little, right?

Also Read: Frida Karlsson wins 50km mass start at the Trondheim World Championships

Final Medal Standings – 2025 Ski World Championships

Norway is clearly dominant in terms of medal count. No one can argue against their depth. However, performing under pressure requires training and planning.

Instead of seeing Norwegian stars overperform, Astrid Øyre Slind struggled with her form, Therese Johaug never found her rhythm, and Heidi Weng simply hung on.

Jonna Sundling – The World Championships Queen

In my World, the true queen of the World Championships is Jonna Sundling.

🥇 First place. Sundling won the sprint in dominant fashion, leaving Kristine Stavås Skistad behind before the final downhill.

🥉 Third place. She finished third in the skiathlon after a fall, despite being in contention for gold.

🥇 First place. She and Maja Dahlqvist secured gold in the team sprint, finishing three seconds ahead of Switzerland.

🥇 First place. Sundling erased Norway’s 37-second lead in just about a kilometer. If that’s not a heroic feat, then what is?

5️⃣ Fifth place. She couldn’t keep up in the deep, boot-high loose snow in Trondheim when Weng, Johaug, Karlsson, and Andersson broke away at Granåsen.

For me, she is undoubtedly the queen of the championships. Managing to peak at yet another World Championship and securing her fourth consecutive major gold medal is an incredible achievement.

For Therese Johaug, the pre-tournament favorite, the results were less impressive. Second, second, second, and third. Of course, those are still great results, making her Norway’s top female skier. But at a home World Championship, with so much pride on the line, that must sting.

Also Read: Edvin Anger vs. Johannes Klæbo – Millions at stake

Winter Olympic Games 2026 – Norway Needs You, Therese

Since her comeback, Therese Johaug has repeatedly stated that the 50km race in Granåsen would be her last. She has consistently denied any plans to continue to the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

But let’s be honest—her decision to retire was likely made with the expectation of winning a World Championship gold.

Now that she leaves without one, the situation has changed. Please reconsider, Therese. Norway and the skiing world need you.

As Therese Johaug left the mixed zone at Granåsen on Sunday, she walked away from the World Championships and her long skiing career. Or did she?

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