Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo just rewrote the Winter Olympics record books on a day many consider unlucky! On Friday the 13th, a date often associated with superstition, this Norwegian cross-country skiing sensation achieved a monumental feat, clinching his eighth gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics. This incredible victory in the men's 10-kilometer interval-start race marks his third gold of the 2026 Games, solidifying his legendary status.
With three more races on the horizon, Klaebo now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Norway's most celebrated retired athletes: Marit Bjoergen and Bjoern Daehlie in cross-country skiing, and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in biathlon. All of them also achieved eight Winter Games gold medals.
Interestingly, Klaebo seems to have a unique relationship with Friday the 13th. He even proposed to his girlfriend, Pernille Doesvik, on June 13th last year, which also happened to be a Friday. "I think I like Friday the 13th," he remarked, "It's a good day." And indeed, so far, all the days at these Olympics have been exceptionally good for him.
This particular win held special significance for Klaebo. He admitted that he typically performs better in head-to-head races rather than those against the clock. "This is the distance I’ve kind of struggled the most with, so being able to do that means a lot," he shared. "And then it’s cool to be up there (in the records) with a lot of great athletes."
He showcased his signature move, gaining crucial ground on the final ascent and crossing the finish line with a time of 20 minutes, 36.2 seconds. Though he showed rare signs of fatigue, collapsing at the finish, it was a testament to the demanding nature of this race, considered his toughest challenge.
He finished a remarkable 4.9 seconds ahead of France's Mathis Desloges and a full 14 seconds in front of his Norwegian rival Einar Hedegart, who lost momentum on that final hill.
"It's a special day," Klaebo stated, clearly emotional. "This one means a lot for sure... I’m lost for words."
His winning strategy involved a controlled pace for the first half of the course, meticulously saving energy for a powerful surge up the last hill and a strong finish – a tactic that often gives him the edge.
"It was really hard out there today, so I’m very proud," he added.
Meanwhile, at the French camp, there was a palpable sense of joy and celebration, as if they had won the race themselves. Athletes and team officials linked arms and danced on the snow, celebrating the underdog Desloges' second silver medal in his Olympic debut. "I trained incredibly hard for these races," Desloges said. "I told people I was at this level – and now we are delivering."
This 23-year-old Frenchman, like many top competitors in interval-start races, admitted he wasn't fully aware of his standing during the event. "I don’t really pay attention to what’s being shouted from the sidelines," he confessed. "Honestly, I don’t listen to them. I just focus on my race. I know what I have to do and I give it everything."
Under a clear blue sky in northern Italy, with the majestic snow-capped Dolomite mountains as a backdrop, the temperature was a mild 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit). Some athletes even opted to race with just their bibs.
Organizers had treated the course with salt the previous day to firm up the surface, but left it untouched on race day. This decision proved advantageous for Klaebo, who started early among the seeded skiers.
The Norwegian fans were out in full force, their national flags a vibrant splash of red, white, and blue against the snow. Klaebo's grandfather, Kare Hoesflot, who played a key role in launching his career, made the journey to northern Italy to witness the race. Back home, where cross-country skiing is a premier sport, messages of congratulation flooded in.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere took to social media to praise Klaebo: "Another show of strength from Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo. What a performance in a thriller of a race! Congratulations on gold number three in these Olympics!"
Finn Dahl, a retired marketing manager from Norway, was a standout spectator, dressed in a white suit adorned with Norwegian flags and the bold motto, "The Viking is back." He attributed Klaebo's success to an unwavering dedication to hard work. "He’s so dedicated. He sacrificed everything in terms of training, how he eats, how he sleeps and calms down after races," Dahl explained.
"It’s fantastic… he’s up to eight now," Dahl continued. "I hope he’ll be the biggest winner ever."
But here's where it gets interesting: Is the interval-start race truly a test of pure athleticism, or does the starting order, influenced by factors like course preparation and seeding, create an inherent advantage? Some might argue that starting earlier on a prepared course, as Klaebo did, offers a distinct benefit over those who follow. What are your thoughts? Does this give certain athletes an unfair edge? Let us know in the comments below!
