Klaebo seals back-to-back Falun win as Norway sweep Skiathlon podium

After winning six gold medals from six events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) returned to World Cup action in style, claiming back-to-back victories at the Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Falun, Sweden.

The 29-year-old won Sunday’s Men’s 20km Skiathlon Classic/Free as Norway completed a clean sweep of the podium, having already dominated Saturday’s Sprint Free.

With a lead of almost 500 points in the Overall World Cup standings and seven races remaining this season, Klaebo looks on course to claim his sixth Crystal Globe, equalling the record of his compatriot Bjoern Daehlie (NOR).

After his Olympic medal haul, however, the Norwegian said he simply wants to enjoy the remainder of the campaign.

“To be honest, I don’t think I have a goal for this season anymore,” Klaebo said.

“The main goal is achieved, and now I’m just going to enjoy the last races and see how it goes.

Midway through the classic leg, a Norwegian quartet of Klaebo, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Andreas Fjorden Ree and Harald Oestberg Amundsen injected the pace, breaking clear of the main field along with Arsi Ruuskanen (FIN) and Savelii Korostelev (AIN).

The six leaders entered the ski exchange at the 10km mark together, holding an advantage of more than 18 seconds over the chasing pack. With one kilometre remaining, Ree, Ruuskanen and Korostelev had dropped a few seconds back, leaving Nyenget, Amundsen and Klaebo to contest the podium.

In last Saturday’s Olympic 50km Mass Start Classic, Nyenget had gone stride for stride with Klaebo in the closing stages, fully aware that the world’s best sprinter was waiting to launch his decisive move.

A similar scenario unfolded in Falun. Also this time, Nyenget had held the lead for most of the race, trying to shake Klaebo off before coming into a sprint finish, with Klaebo refusing to let go of his comfortable position right behind.

When the final uphill came, Klaebo attacked, distancing his two teammates and opening a gap before gliding into the finishing straight.

"This was a tough one," Klaebo said.

"Martin was very strong today, I think he was in the front for almost 20k, so it was very hard.

The 11-time Olympic champion had time to ease up and celebrate before crossing the line, securing the fifth Skiathlon World Cup victory of his career, 0.7 seconds ahead of Amundsen.

Nyenget completed the all-Norwegian podium, just 0.1 seconds further back.

Korostelev won the sprint for fourth place, finishing four seconds behind Klaebo to equal his career-best World Cup result. Behind him, Ree made it four Norwegians in the top five, 5.2 seconds off the winning time.

Ruuskanen placed sixth to record the best individual World Cup result of his career, having previously finished no higher than eighth in his four top-10 appearances.

Klaebo’s fourth consecutive World Cup victory further extended his lead in the Overall standings, where he has 1,654 points. Amundsen, with 1,158 points, is his closest challenger in second place.

The 2023/24 Overall Crystal Globe winner Amundsen, had to pull out of the Olympic 50km Mass Start last weekend due to illness, but looked to be in good health again as he achieved his sixth podium this season.

The Men’s World Cup continues next weekend with two days of competition in Lahti, Finland, on 7 and 8 March.

Click here for full results from the Men’s 20km Skiathlon Classic/Free, here to see the Men’s Overall World Cup standings and here to follow FIS Cross-Country on Youtube.