Klaebo Seizes Ninth Olympic Gold, Secures Norway’s Relay Victory

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo led Team Norway to victory in the men’s cross-country skiing 4×7.5km relay, earning his ninth Olympic gold medal. This achievement solidifies his status as the most decorated Winter Olympian in history. The competition took place on Sunday during the Milan Cortina Games.

Klaebo’s Historic Win

Team Norway finished first with a significant lead, crossing the line 22.2 seconds ahead of Team France, who secured the silver medal. Team Italy, with a time that placed them 47.9 seconds behind Norway, clinched the bronze. This marked Italy’s first medal in cross-country skiing at the Milan Cortina Games.

A Journey to Redemption

Klaebo expressed immense joy at securing his ninth gold, stating, “We were disappointed in Beijing when we got the silver. So, now we’re finally back on the top again.” This victory in the 4×7.5km relay marked his fourth gold in men’s cross-country skiing across four events in Italy.

With this win, Klaebo surpassed legendary fellow Norwegians Marit Bjorgen, Ole Einar Bjorndalen, and Bjorn Daehlie in Olympic gold medals. Team Norway’s lineup included Emil Iversen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Einar Hedegart, and Klaebo himself. The team was determined to reclaim their glory after finishing second to the ROC at the Beijing 2022 Olympics.

Race Highlights

• Nyengat led the team during the second leg, creating a 16-second advantage.
• Klaebo took over in the final leg, maintaining the lead for the win.
• Italy’s Martino Carollo worked hard to minimize time lost against France and Finland.

Appreciation for Home Crowd

Federico Pellegrino from Team Italy expressed pride in achieving a podium finish in front of a home audience, stating, “Two years ago, when I started to think about the home Olympics… today we achieved it.”

Team USA also competed, with Ben Ogden starting strongly in the first leg. Despite starting in fifth place during the third leg, John Steel Hagenbuch’s team finished sixth after Zak Ketterson completed the final leg.

Course Conditions

The course conditions improved significantly overnight, allowing for a smoother race compared to the women’s relay. This led to a safer environment, in contrast to the previous day’s events, where several skiers fell due to challenging conditions.

Klaebo’s remarkable achievement not only underscores his individual prowess but also highlights Team Norway’s strength in cross-country skiing. As the competition continues at the Milan Cortina Games, all eyes are on the remarkable athletes pushing the boundaries of winter sports.