A World Cup solo for Kläbo

Cross-country superstar Johannes Hösflot Kläbo started his gold hunt at the Nordic World Championships in Planica with a triumph in the classic sprint. The Norwegian won easily ahead of his compatriot Paal Golberg and the strong surprise Frenchman Jules Chappaz. In the women’s race, Sweden – led by Jonna Sundling – celebrated a splendid quadruple victory.

In difficult warm weather conditions, Kläbo secured his seventh World Championship gold. “It was a lot of fun, the track was demanding with a lot of curves,” emphasized the 26-year-old after his next show of force in front of the not yet full grandstands.

Like Sundling, Kläbo successfully defended his title from 2021, both were also sprint Olympic champions last year. Sundling held his own in front of Emma Ribom and Maja Dahlqvist. “It’s fantastic for our team,” said the old and new world champion at the Swedish gala performance.

The best Austrian was Lukas Mrkonjic, who finished 24th after his quarter-final out. Lisa Unterweger clearly failed in qualifying as 48th. “I can only say the same thing as Mikaela Shiffrin: there are days for women where it doesn’t fit together in the month,” said the Styrian, who in the ORF interview criticized what she felt was too central a focus on Teresa Stadlober. Her father Alois Stadlober, head of division in the ÖSV and husband of ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober, firmly rejected it.