Klaebo becomes most decorated Cross-Country skier of all time

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) broke the record for the most gold medals at a Winter Olympic Games with perhaps his easiest win at Milano Cortina 2026, his team-mates handing him a 12-second lead going into the final leg of the Men’s 4 x 7.5km Relay on Sunday.

Klaebo is now the most decorated Cross-Country skier of all time having overtaken compatriot Bjoern Daehlie’s previous record eight golds.

France then took silver, as double Olympic silver medalist Mathis Desloges put them ahead in the third leg, with Victor Lovera maintaining his lead over the chasing pack.

There was delight for the home team with Italy’s Federico Pellegrino, in his last Olympics, biding his time behind Finland’s Niko Anttola before making his move on the final hill to claim bronze.

Klaebo said before making his way to the start line that he was not thinking about the record and said afterwards: “It was a fantastic race and great to be able to give this gold medal to Norway.”

On finishing the last leg behind Klaebo and Norway for the silver medal, Victor Lovera said: “It was incredible. I was afraid before the race and in the last 100m I didn’t believe it. 

“I was crazy [happy] to take the French flag, and to see all the guys on the finish line was a crazy moment. I’m going to remember that all my life.”

His team-mate Desloges, was equally happy, as he added: “Today we wrote some history.”

Italy’s veteran Pellegrino said of his team’s bronze medal: “It is something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. Two years ago, when I started thinking about a home Olympics, seeing the team-mates increasing their level, the dream became a goal and today we achieved it.

“It is maybe the thing I am most proud of in my career.”

Despite Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher keeping USA in the lead group in the first half of the race, the Americans failed to stay in medal contention, as did Canada who had also been within touching distance of a medal position in the first two legs.

Sweden struggled from the start and fell away early, slipping 54 seconds behind as they went into the third leg, eventually finishing last and 3:23 minutes behind. Switzerland were just ahead of them in ninth.

Martin Loewstroem Nyenget was the one to put Norway ahead, giving them a 10-second lead at the second exchange to Einar Hedegart, with Finland, Italy, France, USA and Canada in the chasing group.

There was a brief drop to a six-second lead for Klaebo, but there was never a sense that he would be caught, looking relaxed on the corners not to take any risks, before opening up the gap again with Italy’s Loverea.

The men enjoyed better conditions than the women at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on Saturday, in a race that became a drama-free procession for Klaebo.

For results of the Men’s 4 x 7.5km relay click here. For the full Cross-Country schedule for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games click here.