General
Klebo traded training for a vacation with a girl. Completely relaxed without the Russians?
The five-time Olympic champion spent a week in Cannes instead of preparing for the new season.
The off-season for skiers is in full swing. Despite the fact that Russian athletes are likely to miss the international season, the strongest group of coach Borodavko is preparing without concessions.
The main rival of our skiers, Johannes Klebo, also announced an extremely ambitious plan with several high-altitude camps. All in order to feel at the World Championships ready to win in the maximum number of races. Fortunately for the Norwegian, competition can be greatly weakened.
However, something in the training process went wrong. Instead of another preparatory week, the 25-year-old Norwegian chose a vacation on the Cote d’Azur with his girlfriend.
Completely relaxed without the Russians?
Changed plans
It’s no secret that Klebo and his teammates have taken a radical stance towards our athletes. They do not want to see them at the World Cup and the World Championships in Planica, thereby killing all possible competition in the male part of cross-country skiing. Without our guys, the main skiing tournament will turn into the championship of Norway. Unless the Finn Niskanen will try to dilute the feast of the Vikings by fighting for another gold medal in the classic mass start.
Realizing the opportunities that have opened up and drawing conclusions from the unsuccessful Olympics in Beijing, Klebo decided to subdue the leadership of the federation and knocked out four high-altitude camps for himself, despite the fact that all other partners would be left without similar training. The first training camp at an altitude of 2 thousand meters above sea level should begin at the end of August, but for now the Norwegian has been training on roller skis in his native Trondheim.
In mid-July, the great sprinter was supposed to start another training week, but instead, the fans found on social networks a photo of Johannes with his girlfriend Pernilla Dosvik. The picture was taken in France, and the caption meant that Klebo had a day off.
During the week, several more publications appeared, where Johannes poses either against the backdrop of the sea or in a fashionable restaurant. In general, well-deserved scenery, but not in the midst of the off-season.
Soon, the coach of the multiple world champion clarified the essence of the situation:
– At the end of last week during training, Johannes had a slight pain in his right gluteal muscle. We were supposed to have a week with high volumes, but after talking we decided it was better to change plans. He feels better, there is no drama in the changes in plans. Then there will be a lot of training in a calm mode. We did this a year ago, and the difference between this week and the usual ones is that there will be very long workouts and few intense sessions,” said Arild Monsen.
Have you matured or let go?
Monsen’s words look logical, but, in fairness, Johannes did not allow himself this before. He devoted all his strength to training, competition and achieving the main goal – victories at the world championships and the Olympics. And Pernilla diligently waited for her lover.
Suffice it to recall their separation associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Before the start of the 2020/21 season, Johannes banned his girlfriend from visiting the university in person to minimize the possibility of infection. And before the February World Cup in Oberstdorf 2021, they completely stopped seeing each other since the New Year. These bans allowed Johannes to win three golds in Germany.
After a week-long holiday in Cannes, the Norwegian plans to return to Trondheim, and from there he will travel to the United States, where his monthly high-altitude camp in Park City is to begin.
However, the decision of the great skier to spend a whole week on vacation looks unexpected. With the option to stay in Norway and stay focused, Klebo decided to make time for Pernilla. An act worthy of a gentleman, but this is also seen as a slight relaxation. Johannes is well aware that without the Russians next season could be a cakewalk for him. In the absence of the main irritant, this relaxation can go sideways for Klebo, because before he did not allow himself this.
Source: Sportbox
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