Therese Johaug outclassed former arch-rival Justyna Kowalczyk in her first ski race since retiring in 2022. It left her wanting more. According to Langrenn.com, the 35-year-old confirms she will compete in the 30-kilometer race at the Norwegian Championships next Saturday.

Johaug has hinted that she is aiming for a comeback with the 2025 World Championships on ‘home snow’ as her goal.

For the first time in World Championships history, the event will include a 50-kilometer race for women, and it’s specifically this race that entices her.

On March 3, Johaug competed in the 17-kilometer freestyle race, Engadin Ski Marathon, her first ski race since winning the Skarverennet in April 2022. She defeated former rival Justyna Kowalczyk by over three and a half minutes. This definitely left her wanting more and added fuel to her comeback process. A couple of hours before the deadline for registration for the Norwegian Championships – Part 2, Johaug registered for the 30-kilometer race.

“This is a step towards seeing how my form is at present,” Johaug wrote in a message to NRK.

One thing is winning a 17-kilometer-long cross-country race against a 41-year-old who has formally retired. In the Norwegian Championships, Johaug will compete against active skiers on the World Cup circuit, including Heidi Weng and Anne Kjersti Kalvå, who were on the podium in Sunday’s 20-kilometer mass start in Falun.

Read More: Diggins wins the 20km mass start in Falun

Competitors celebrate 

Should Johaug choose to make a complete comeback, she will be welcomed with open arms. Teammates and international competitors are celebrating, especially Sweden’s ski stars Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson.

The latter is among the few athletes who beat Johaug in the World Cup. Karlsson defeated Johaug for the first time in the 30-kilometer race in Holmenkollen in March 2020. She then beat Johaug in the 10-kilometer classic during the World Cup premiere in November 2021 and in the 10-kilometer freestyle during the World Cup in Lillehammer in December 2021. A few weekends ago, Karlsson won the 50-kilometer race in Holmenkollen in dominant fashion.

Also Read: Karlsson wins the 50km race at the Holmenkollen World Cup

Now, Therese Johaug is ready for the 30-kilometer race at the Norwegian Championships – Part 2. The Championships will be held in Lillehammer from March 21 to 23, with the 30-kilometer race scheduled for Saturday, March 23.