When the World Cup has taken a break, people have taken the opportunity to organize the Norwegian championships. Therese Johaug followed up the gold at 10 km freely last Thursday and today won the mass start over 15 km in classic. She had company almost all the way with Ingvild Flugstad Östberg but got a gap at the end and could win with half a run.
1.22 behind Helene Marie Fosseholm sprinted in as third. The 18-year-old did not have the best charge for the race and gave up the favorite distance 10 km freely on Thursday. But now she showed skiing-crazy Norway what she goes for. Johaug, 31, Östberg, 29, and Fosseholm, 18. Fosseholm could have chosen worse on the podium.
Fossholm was peering mentallyJohaug seemed more satisfied with Fosseholm's efforts than his own gain.
- It's huge. She is the hope of the future, says Johaug.
Fosseholm has taken a step this winter and mentally peed when she woke up this morning:
"Now I'll show them, this is my day," says Fossum, who was hailed by NRK's expert Fredrik Aukland.
- She dares to be offensive and to go for it. One day it goes all the way and it's just to keep it in place and drive on, says Fredrik Aukland, who has been a coach for Dario Cologna.
"Really wanted to hang on to the fast ladies in the lead"Fosseholm was inspired by trying to hang on the two role models in the lead. That disappeared further and further away.
- I really wanted to hang on the two fast ladies in the lead but it became a small gap and it grew and became impossible to retrieve again. You really have to have good legs and be on the chop to be able to walk Therese a little bit at all, says Fosseholm.
Östberg was almost forgotten second.
- Therese is super good after all and being only ten seconds behind in the finish I am very pleased with, says Östberg.
Next weekend there are world cup competitions in Falun.