“Petter Northug knows so much about training and knows exactly how to adjust to achieve the goals he sets for himself,” says manager Pål Trøan Aune to Langrenn.com, and continues:

“It wasn’t a coincidence what we saw this weekend.”

Pål Trøan Aune retired from his elite career in the spring of 2023, after 11 seasons in the World Cup. Now, at 31, he is one of those closest to Petter Northug on a daily basis, in the role as team manager for the ski king’s private team, Team Janteloppet.

Aune has great respect for the second place that Northug secured in the 20-kilometer race at the Norwegian Cup in Nes on Sunday.

How strong was Petter Northug’s performance in the Norwegian Cup this weekend?

“It’s very strong. Petter beats skiers who have been on the podium several times in the World Cup in classic races,” says Aune, adding:

“It wasn’t a coincidence. We saw it in the summer when Petter was on the podium and the best Norwegian during the Blink Festival and during Toppidrettsveka afterward. He’s so experienced that he understands what measures he needs to implement.”

What do these results mean?

“It shows that good work has been done. And it’s obviously very nice for the whole team. If you’re fighting for a victory in the Norwegian Cup, you know you can compete at the top of the World Cup.”

Also Read: The training that brought Petter Northug back to the top

What would it mean for the World Cup and the interest in traditional cross-country skiing if Northug were to make a comeback there?

“That’s not what we’re thinking about now. Vasaloppet and the remaining of Ski Classics are the focus for Petter Northug this season,” says Aune.

At the same time, the manager reveals that there might be an opening for more projects already this year. The Norwegian Nationals Part 1 is organized the weekend before Vasaloppet, and the World Cup in Holmenkollen is the week after, both weekends when there are no Ski Classics Pro Tour events.

“We have a plan, but we take it week by week,” says Aune.

What are your thoughts on the National Championships and the World Cup in Holmenkollen?

“It’s too early to answer that. We have to see how things progress, but there are three long-distance races after Birken as well.”

Why participate in such short races if the focus is on long-distance races?

“It’s damn good training, first and foremost. But it’s never wrong to participate in good ski races,” says Aune.

This is also confirmed by the Norwegian head coach for the distance national team, Eirik Myhr Nossum. He has opened for Northug to be considered for both the World Cup and the World Championships in 2025, if he participates in selection races and not only in long-distance races.

“Of course, he is considered for both the fifty-kilometer race in the World Cup in Holmenkollen in March, but also for the World Championships in Trondheim next year,” says Nossum to VG.

Skiers and commentators also welcome the veteran back.

And Petter Northug leaves it all up in the air with this comment:

“There’s a slight possibility. It’s important to have dreams. Then we’ll see after this season, if the mind can adjust to the training adjustments needed to compete there.”