Klaebo wins 10th Olympic gold as ‘beast’ Sundling takes title for Sweden

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo claimed his 10th Olympic gold and fifth of Milano Cortina as he won the Men’s Team Sprint along with partner Einar Hedegart. Favourites Sweden also delivered on their promise as Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist took gold in the Women’s Team Sprint at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on Wednesday.

Klaebo had less of a procession to this gold, as USA’s Gus Schumacher fought on the last lap before Klaebo made his move on the uphill with the American still keeping within a dangerous enough distance going into the final stretch and finishing just 1.4 seconds behind. Schumacher’s partner Ben Ogden had kept them in contention for much of the race by staying with Hedegart.

Italy’s Federico Pellegrino celebrated as he crossed the line for bronze, as did Schumacher for silver, both knowing those were the best results they could hope for behind Norway. A second bronze for Pellegrino and partner Elia Barp will be a welcome result at their home Winter Games.

“It feels incredibly big to be able to race here and claim my fifth gold medal. It means a great deal to me,” Klaebo said.

“It’s pretty unreal. Everything has worked out very well now. My shape is good and I’m still motivated to do well in the races. I sleep a little bit better now than I did the first week here, but it feels amazing.”

On the race, he added: “In the last lap, everyone was at full speed. It could’ve been a harder race but for me it was perfect, and I had some power left at the end.”

His partner Hedegart also felt the importance of the moment, as he said: “To be a part of these historic races for Johannes is something I will bring with me for the rest of my life.”

On another historic moment for Pellegrino, Italy’s home hero said: “It means that I’ve done a good job and now the legacy can continue. We [older athletes] have done enough and now we have some strong, younger, focused guys who will let us jump on so far in the future.

“It’s really special. In most ski championships I already did it, with medals, but [at my] last Olympic Games in the two team events, this was the goal for the four years.”

Australia and Spain did well to qualify for the final, as Hugo Hinckfuss (AUS) said before the race: “Let’s see if we can fight with the big boys but Klaebo is a bit scary.” Australia finished 14th ahead of Spain.

In the Women’s Team Sprint, Maja Dahlqvist described Sundling as a “beast” in the sprint and never really having to worry with her out in front, as they easily took gold.

Jessie Diggins looked to put USA in medal contention along with Julia Kern early on but was unable to maintain her fast pace, looking tired and struggling into the final exchange where Switzerland made their move with Nadine Faehndrich then crossing the line to win silver with partner Nadja Kaelin.

Reigning champions Germany were delighted with bronze as Coletta Rydzek had a tight finish across the line just ahead of Norway’s Julie Bjervig Drivenes.

Dahlqvist said after finishing the race 1.4 seconds ahead of Switzerland: “When I saw Jonna in the first hill of qualifying I thought, ‘OK she’s strong today’. It feels really safe to ski with Jonna when she’s in that shape.”

Switzerland’s Kaelin was more surprised at their result, as she said: “It’s unbelievable, it’s really amazing. I didn’t expect to go home with a medal from the Olympics, so I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

However the pressure was clearly felt by Rydzek, going into the race knowing there would be high expectations of a medal as defending champions. “To be honest I puked several times this morning,” said Rydzek. “I didn’t think that I could be so nervous. I said to Laura [Gimmler], ‘it’s our dream but it doesn’t feel like a dream right now’.”

Rydzek’s brother, the Nordic Combined Olympic medalist Johannes, was also there to congratulate her: “He was the first person, after Laura who was there, and it’s awesome to experience it with him. He was always my hero growing up.

“I saw him winning the Olympics and I wanted to get as far as I could to also get a medal, and now I’m standing here and winning one with one of my best friends. That’s huge.”

Good conditions allowed the athletes a drama-free race except for Finland’s Jasmin Kahara, who took a fall on the home stretch, a devastating end to the race having been in bronze medal position, eventually finishing in ninth and 43 seconds behind.

The Women’s Team Sprint qualifier also featured an unusual cameo from a stray dog, who joined the field with the later finishers in the last few meters and crossed the finish line behind some of the bemused athletes.

For results of the Men’s Team Sprint click here and Women’s Team Sprint click here. For the full Cross-Country schedule for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games click here.