Party-powered Klaebo unstoppable in Falun Sprint

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) continued to look unbeatable in the first Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup event after the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, winning the Men’s Sprint Free in Falun, Sweden, on Saturday in dominant fashion.

One week after concluding an unmatched Olympic campaign with victory in the 50km Mass Start Classic to claim a record sixth gold medal, Klaebo was back on top of the podium.

The most decorated Winter Olympian credited the victory celebrations for motivating him to compete again.

”It was a hard final,” said Klaebo, who had almost completely ruled out a Falun start after last Saturday’s Mass Start.

”But after the last day in the Olympics, I managed to have a good party and that helps for just being able to come here. I think that was crucial.”

The 29-year-old set the fastest time in qualifying before winning his quarter-final and semi-final comfortably, making no mistake in the final race of the day.

France’s Lucas Chanavat kept the first place for more than two thirds of the deciding race, with Klaebo right behind him. Before the final climb, however, the 11-time Olympic champion surged past and left the rest of the field behind, cruising alone to victory as he has done so many times before.

With eight races left in the season, Klaebo increased his lead in the Overall standings as he aims to equal compatriot Bjoern Daehlie’s record of six Crystal Globes. And the Norwegian feels far from finished with the 2025/26 season.

”It feels good. I like to compete and it’s always fun to race here in Falun,” Klaebo said.

Lars Heggen (NOR) refused to lose sight of his compatriot and stayed with Klaebo until the finish. The 20-year-old, who has claimed his first four World Cup podiums this winter, was not selected for Norway’s Olympic squad but showed he will be a name to watch in the future as he secured second place behind Klaebo.

Benjamin Moser (AUT) crossed the finish line 1.63 seconds behind the winner to claim the final spot on the podium — the best Sprint result of his career. Moser’s only previous World Cup podium came on New Year’s Eve in the Tour de Ski-debuting 5km Heat Mass Start Free in Toblach, Italy, where he finished second ahead of Heggen.

Mathias Holbaek (NOR) finished fourth to record his best World Cup result to date. The 22-year-old’s previous best was 12th place, achieved in January’s Sprint Free in Oberhof, Germany.

Janik Riebli (SUI) finished fifth to claim his fourth individual World Cup top-five result, while Chanavat had to settle for sixth place.

Click here for full results from the Men’s Sprint Free, here for the Men’s Sprint Standings and here to follow FIS Cross-Country on Youtube.