Cross-country skiing: a long-awaited first distance title for Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo
This Saturday, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo confirmed his role as favourite in the skiathlon of the cross-country skiing world championships in Trondheim (Norway) , winning for the second time in two races in his home town of Granåsen (Norway). It was his eleventh world title, but above all his first in a distance race. A performance that has thrilled the whole of Norway.
“Klæbo has broken the curse”, was NRK’ s headline for the player who has added another notch to his already impressive list of honours. For Nettavisen, it was an “ absolutely incredible” performance, while TV2 called it “A gift at home”. The Scandinavian media also highlighted the emotion involved. VG highlighted the feelings of the cross-country skier with four crystal globes: “ Klæbo’s emotion after his gold medal at the World Championships: ‘I’ve been waiting for this for a long time’”.
A real popular success, the race took place in an incandescent atmospherein front of a huge crowd who came to support their athletes. Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, who kept a low profile throughout the race, put his racing skills to good use to take victory at the end of a crazy final straight. A real relief for the world number one
“It’s about time. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s been difficult at times. To do it here, on our own soil, is… I think this victory means more than Thursday’s sprint,” says Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo. I just lay there sobbing at the finish line. I rarely do that, so when I do it, I know it means a lot,” says the new world champion at NRK.
The 28-year-old cross-country skier will now try to build on his success and remain the undisputed star of these World Championships, which he is competing at home, with the individual classic on the programme from Tuesday.
Read also
- Cross-country skiing | Trondheim: Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo new world skiathlon champion, Mathis Desloges fantastic sixth
- Cross-country skiing | Trondheim: William Poromaa finishes the skiathlon too quickly
- Cross-country skiing | Trondheim: Jules Chappaz within a whisker of bronze in the sprint skate at the Worlds, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo’s tenth world title
