“Local girls like temperament more”: Nortug about love for Russia, Bolshunov’s victory and showman’s image

In Moscow, the grand opening of the Museum of Olympic Glory took place. The event was attended by two-time Olympic champion Petter Nortug, as well as the famous Russian skiers Alexander Legkov and Nikita Kryukov. Everyone had the opportunity to get an autograph of the great Norwegian, who is not the first time visiting Russia, as well as ask questions of interest.

- What are your impressions of your visit to Russia?

- Each visit to Russia is a great happiness for me. I am very grateful to Alexander Legkov for inviting me to this event. Unfortunately, due to too warm weather, we managed to conduct a full-fledged race, but we replaced it with a hockey game. I had a great time, I had a lot of fun.

- Who turned out to be stronger in hockey - Norwegian or Russian skiers?

- Honestly, I was impressed with the level of play of Legkov and other athletes. But on the track, anyway, the champion is me. I think because the Russians play hockey too much, and I practice skiing ( Laughs ).

- Russia is famous for beautiful women. There was no desire to stay here and find a companion?

- Over the past few days I have fallen in love with Russia even more. I can say that in temperament I even like Russian girls more than Norwegians.

“Ready to return next year?”

- Yes, if Alexander invites me, I will be happy to come and defeat him!

- Who is the best skier of all time?

- Not counting me ( Laughs )? In fact, there are a lot of good skiers and it is difficult to single out one. Each has its own strong features and each is a hero in its own way.

- This season, the Big Crystal Globe was won by Russian Alexander Bolshunov. In your opinion, who will be the best next season?

- Indeed, the alignment of forces was obvious. Yes, Johannes Klebo is the best sprinter, but Bolshunov is a generalist, as well as a leader in long distances. He won both the Tour de Ski and the Holmenkollen marathon, could win the Ski Tour, if not for the ski problem. Obviously, Alexander is the best skier at the moment. As for the next season, the Russian has more chances in 30 km and 50 km races, Klebo is the favorite in the sprint, several applicants will compete for victory in 15 km races.

- Bolshunov, and the other best Russian skiers focus exclusively on training, trying not to be distracted by anything. You could afford to leave to have a rest in the middle of the season, you managed to do shows, to make fun. How did you manage to combine these roles?

- In fact, from 2006 to 2011, I trained in the same way as Bolshunov, and my main dream was to run 50 km. And as a result, I managed to do it. This was the result of serious preparation and training, I tried not to spray on anything. After the World Championships in Oslo in 2011, I loosened my grip a little and became less involved. But, for example, 2013 was no less successful for me.

Indeed, I had a very serious attitude to training, but at the same time I allowed myself to play, poke fun at my rivals, to be a kind of clown or showman. It gave me a tone, self-confidence, confidence in my victory.

- And how did this affect rivals?

“I think such a peculiar attack annoyed them.” At the 2015 World Cup, I constantly put psychological pressure on Swede Calle Halvarsson. He told him that I’ll break him, that he had no chance. And at one of the tournaments, I once told my rivals: “You have such a low speed that I’ll fall asleep now.”

- When you went to the competition, it seemed that you are confident in your victory, even if you are behind the leaders. Is it so?

- In the distance races it really was so.

- You intimidated opponents at the start. Do you have a winning Norwegian song?

- Not. But I constantly listen to music in order to focus.

- You have been successful in all disciplines. Is it a gift of genetics or training features?

- It all depended on a specific period. For example, after 2011, I gained a little weight, but it was from 2011 to 2015 that I managed to prove myself well as a sprinter. At the same time, Kryukov was waiting for me in the distance race.

- You had a brilliant career. What do you do after it ends? How difficult was it to switch to a new quality?

- Even before leaving sports, I knew that I would have something to do. It's about my own brand, under which we first released glasses, and soon a new line of sports equipment will be released. Therefore, now somewhere around 90% of the income is my company, and 10% is working on television as an expert.