Petter Northug took a solid second place in his comeback at the elite level in traditional cross-country skiing five years after he retired from his World Cup career.

On Saturday, Petter Northug was 35th in the 10-kilometer freestyle race at the Norwegian Cup in Nes. He was just over a minute behind the winner in his first traditional cross-country skiing race at an elite level in over five years. 

The result motivated Northug, so the Norwegian star took part in Sunday’s 20-kilometer classic race. The 38-year-old Norwegian finished in second place, 26 seconds behind the winner and three seconds ahead of the next skier. 

“It was hell in the last two laps. I started a little too fast,” said Northug after the race on VGTV’s broadcast.

Northug beat several skiers who have been on the podium in the World Cup this season, including Henrik Dønnestad, Håvard Moseby, and yesterday’s winner, Iver Tildheim Andersen.  

The winner, David Thorvik, is highly impressed by Northug’s comeback. 

“It is quite impressive,” said Thorvik.  

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Northug’s return

Last winter, the Norwegian ski star came back at elite level in Ski Classics. This summer, he competed in several roller ski races, including the Blink Festival and Toppidrettsveka. This weekend, he, therefore, made a comeback at an elite level in traditional cross-country skiing. It has been over five years since the last time: Northug ended his World Cup career in December 2018. 

Ahead of the Norwegian Cup weekend at Nes, Northug told Langrenn.com that he expected it to be challenging. The results from the weekend suggest that he has met the challenge.

Rising form

So far this season, Northug has raced five Pro Tour events in the Ski Classics, including the 10-kilometer La Venosta ITT before Christmas. There, he was 62nd, just over three minutes behind the winner. However, it was Northug’s first race weekend of the season, and he was still struggling with an injury that had plagued him before the start of the season. 

Since the start of the new year, Northug has made significant steps up the results lists. In the last two Pro Tour events, Engadin La Diagonela and Marcialonga, where he was 25th and 29th, respectively. 

Earlier in January, he was on the podium in the brutal Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, winning his age group and finishing third overall. 

Top 3 Men, 20km Classic

1. David Thorvik, Kjelsås IL, 53:02.8
2. Petter Northug, Strindheim IL, 53:28.8
3. Eirik Mysen, Oseberg Skilag, 53:32.4

Complete results