Ski Norway looks forward to Top Sports Week, which begins on Thursday with a roller ski race in Hitra over 55 kilometers.

Long-distance runner Marit Bjørgen, 41, meets, among others, the Swedish star Frida Karlsson.

For Marit Björgen, it is a happy reunion from last year's recording of the TV show "Sweden against Norway":

- Then I got to know Frida Karlsson a little, Marit Björgen tells TT.

Bjørgen compares Karlsson with his friend and training buddy Therese Johaug:

- I quickly saw that Frida Karlsson is fearless.

There she and Therese Johaug resemble each other as types.

Both want up and forward.

"Pressing themselves"

Marit Björgen would not be surprised if Johaug, 33, and Karlsson, 22, meet in tough duels over the Olympic gold in Beijing this winter.

The best skiers of all time state that it is about two winners - even though the Norwegian has by far the greatest merit so far.

- As private individuals, they can be different, but as athletes with a great desire to train and then push themselves.

It will be interesting to follow them.

Now Marit Björgen is charging for the season's first competition, which for her will be a good starting point in her long-distance race.

In addition to Frida Karlsson, she will also meet the Swedish long-distance race specialist Lina Korsgren, who won the long-distance race cup last winter.

Fears Cross Branch

- Honestly, I fear Lina Korsgren more than Frida Karlsson, says Marit Björgen, who has just returned from a holiday with the family with less training.

- That's why I see myself as an outsider.

In addition, I have not competed on roller skis for many years, says Björgen.

"Not afraid"

But she is not afraid of any accident, despite the fact that it is a joint start and that Frida Karlsson's participation in the race two years ago ended with a crash in a fence since her roller skis broke.

At the same time, biathlete Tarjei Bö's double fall in a biathlon competition on roller skis in Germany this weekend has become a snack bar in Norway.

- I am not afraid.

Have not fallen seriously at any time in my career.

But knock on the table (pepper, pepper)…, says Marit Björgen and laughs.

CLIP: Korsgren: "Has good chances to beat her" (17 Aug 2021)

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Therese Johaug and Lina Korsgren.

Photo: Bildbyrån