Thomas Helland Larsen gave Northug the perfect starting point in the final round and in the race, Northug’s little brother unleashed superpowers and dashed to yesterday’s winner Håvard Solås Taugbøl.

– It’s fantastic. Despite not having many chances at the World Cup, but today showed that he is one of the best in the world, Helland Larsen boasted to the FIS after the race.

On Viaplay after the finish, a happy duo who had just secured their first ever World Cup win.

– That’s really raw. We spent the semifinals scratching and learning a bit. In the final, we did everything right. “Thomas did a good job sending me out as number one and we wouldn’t have won without him,” said Northug.

– How much does this mean?

– This is a World Cup winner. I don’t think so. Crossing the finish line is beautiful.

Touched expert

In the sprint, Solås Taugbøl of the Norwegian first team could not get past Northug, but distanced himself from foreign competitors. Thus, there is a Norwegian double in the team sprint, with Norway II ahead of Norway I.

– This is amazing, there’s nothing more to say. Even and Thomas are still impressed. They did everything right today and followed the plan. Very good, national team coach Arild Monsen boasted.

Viaplay expert Niklas Dyrhaug has known Northug for several years and knows the feeling after a win.

– That’s big. In fact have been fighting for this for a long time. He has two brothers with usable proceeds. The fact that he managed to bounce back like he did this year and take his first win in the team sprint, I’m a little touched, admitting the former national team runner.

– Small Olympic chance

NRK cross-country commentator Jann Post has been impressed by the strides Northug has taken before this season.

– It’s clear that Even Northug had a good year of training. He seemed to have increased his endurance a bit. This means he warms up better than ever. “I’m impressed with what he’s shown so far,” said the Post.

With some good sprints so far this season, most recently with a win and fourth place in Dresden, Northug is again a name being considered for an Olympic venue. But the Post thinks younger brother Even got the same message that older brother Petter received ahead of the 2006 Turin Olympics.

Ie no.

– Unfortunately for Northug, I think the Olympic chances are small when Norway only has eight players in the squad. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Erik Valnes and Håvard Solås Taugbøl may be ahead in the sprint context. And there’s barely room for another dedicated printer, NRK commentators believe.