Cross-country skier Therese Johaug from Norway has been back with a World Cup victory following her doping suspension. In the first distance race of the new World Cup season, the 30-year-old won over 10 kilometers in classic style on Sunday in Kuusamo, Finland. In 28: 02.5 minutes, she relegated the Swede Charlotte Kalla with 22.5 seconds and her compatriot Ebba Andersson with 32.8 seconds ahead of the other podium finishes.
For the seven-time World Champion, who tested positive for the steroid Clostebol in the fall of 2016 after using a lip cream and was subsequently banned for 18 months, it was the 43rd World Cup victory of her career. After the resignation of her great compatriot Marit Björgen, she is the big favorite for the 2019 World Cup in Seefeld (16 February to 3 March). Johaug himself had always asserted her innocence in the "lip cream affair".
Most recently, Johaug was last in the World Cup on 12 March 2016 at the season finale and had celebrated with the overall success of the "Ski Tour Canada" at that time also their last success.