Key Highlights
- Norway’s Johannes Klaebo wins gold in the men’s 10km + 10km skiathlon.
- Klaebo aims to become the most decorated cross-country skiing Olympian of all time.
- The race was challenging due to wet snow conditions, leading to multiple crashes among competitors.
- Russian athlete Savelii Korostelev won bronze as an Individual Neutral Athlete.
Klaebo’s Gold: A Step Closer to Olympic History
Norway’s Johannes Klaebo, already the sport’s most successful man with 107 World Cup wins, took a step closer to history by winning gold in the men’s skiathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The race was no easy feat; despite the wet snow and challenging conditions, Klaebo maintained his composure until the final kilometer where he surged ahead of France’s Mathis Desloges and Norway’s Martin Nyenget.
With a time of 46:11.0, Klaebo left no doubt about his status as the favorite at these Games. This win was his first in the skiathlon; it’s an impressive comeback for a skier who finished 40th in this event just four years ago.
A Challenging Race Amidst Adversity
The snow remained soft and wet, posing a significant challenge for athletes. Many crashed at the same turn that had tripped up American Jessie Diggins on Saturday. Gus Schumacher and Zak Ketterson faced their own misfortunes, getting caught in a pileup along with several other competitors.
“It was just a s—show on that first corner.”
Zak Ketterson’s frustration echoed the sentiment of many as they navigated the tricky conditions. The race served as both an opportunity and a test for athletes to showcase their resilience under pressure.
The Road to Olympic Glory
To break Bjørn Daehlie’s record of 12 Olympic medals, Klaebo needs three more golds or five of any color. While a golden sweep across all six cross-country events is possible given his dominance in recent years, the focus remains on individual races.
With six Olympic events, Klaebo has plenty of opportunities to add to his medal count. The men’s and women’s sprint events scheduled for Tuesday will be crucial in determining whether he can continue his stellar performance or face a tough challenge from other competitors.
The Future of Cross-Country Skiing
As Klaebo continues to dominate, the future looks bright for Norwegian cross-country skiing. With six top spots in World Cup distance rankings, Norway is well-positioned to make more history at these Games.
But the challenge remains: can Klaebo maintain his form and break Daehlie’s record? Only time will tell as he steps onto the next race track with the weight of Olympic history on his shoulders.