The Norwegian sprinter Even Northug is approaching 30 and wonders how long his motivation will last. And there’s one thing in particular that is crucial.

Even Northug and Helle Liana Nårstad Drugli have been a couple since 2023 and have lived together since last year. He is a cross-country skier and has never done anything else. She is a police officer and has never been a top-level athlete. She works as an investigator and is his most important supporter in everyday life.

Means Everything

The 29-year-old says that Helle is the only one who hears everything, and she is the one who helps him see things in perspective. He especially highlights the season preparation ahead of the World Championships on home soil in Trondheim. At that time, he struggled with a persistent back injury.

“It was only Helle who knew how hard and crappy it was. She noticed that I had a short fuse. During those periods, she has had a good influence on me. I’m sure I’ve become a better skier because of Helle,” he told Adresseavisen.

For Even Northug, she means everything, and it’s after meeting Helle that he has delivered his best results.

“I’ve grown more mature and look ahead after things go badly. Before, I would hit rock bottom, and then I couldn’t perform the next time,” he says.

“A Quite Selfish Life”

Now, Northug increasingly fears that this could eventually impact his motivation to continue at the top. Life as a cross-country skier requires making ruthless choices.

“The hardest part now is traveling away from her,” Even says, and adds:

“It’s quite a selfish life, and at times I’m away from her for weeks.”

Seriously Fired Up

Right now, there are two things that motivate him: the 2026 Olympics in Italy and the 2027 World Championships in Falun. Even says he is more motivated than he has been in a long time.

But after that, he’s unsure. Then he’ll have to feel whether the spark is still strong enough to continue life as a top-level cross-country skier.

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