Holmenkollen Men’s 50km Mass Start Freestyle – Preview

The Oslo 50km freestyle event is set to take place on Saturday, March 11, 2023, and the competition promises to be fierce. Here’s what you need to know about some of the top contenders:

One of the top contenders for this event is Simen Hegstad Krüger, who has won eight individual World Cup distance events, all in the freestyle. Although Krüger has never won the 50km event in Oslo before, he has come close with a second-place finish in the classic style in 2020. Krüger won one 50km event in the World Cup, which was the 50km pursuit in freestyle technique in Engadin on March 14, 2021.

Norwegian men have been dominating the distance events in the World Cup, having won each of the last 16 distance events, including all 14 in the 2022/23 season. This is currently the longest winning streak by a country in distance events in the men’s World Cup.

The longest winning streak by a country in women’s World Cup distance events is 19, set by Norway between March 2019 and February 2020, with Therese Johaug winning 17, Ingvild Flugstad Østberg winning 1, and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen winning 1.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is another top contender for the men’s 50km freestyle event in Oslo. Klæbo has already won 14 of the 24 individual men’s events in the 2022/23 World Cup, which is impressive. However, the all-time record for most individual World Cup victories in a single season is 20, set by Therese Johaug in 2019/20. Klæbo has participated in the 50km event in Oslo three times, with his best result being 15th place in the classic style in 2020.

Other contenders for the men’s 50km freestyle event in Oslo exist. Pål Golberg won the world title in the men’s 50km classic style in Planica last week, ahead of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (silver) and William Poromaa (bronze). Golberg has recorded seven individual podium finishes in World Cup distance events this season, with three wins and four second places. Only Klæbo has claimed as many podium finishes with eight, including seven wins.

Another skier who could potentially win the men’s 50km freestyle event is Hans Christer Holund, who has won two World Cup distance events in the past, Harald Østberg Amundsen, who won the men’s 10km freestyle in Les Rousses on January 29.

It is worth noting that since the Holmenkollen 50km race became part of the World Cup in 1981/82, Norway has recorded one podium sweep in this event, which was in 2022 in the classic style with Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Sjur Røthe, and Didrik Tønseth. 

Final Thoughts

With a robust Norwegian team, the 50km freestyle race is set to be an exciting event. Cross-country skiing fans will be watching closely to find out who will be the winner.

Holmenkollen, Norway, is the place for this weekend’s cross-country skiing World Cup. The event begins on Saturday, March 11, with a 50km race in freestyle technique for the men, and on Sunday, March 12, the World Cup weekend ends with a mass start race in freestyle technique over the same distance for the women. 

Saturday, March 11: 50km Mass Start F (Find more details here)

• 10:30 CET: 50km Mass Start F, Men

Men’s Start List

See below the complete program with facts, start lists, and results for the World Cup in Holmenkollen.

FACTS Holmenkollen World Cup Season 2022/2023

• When: Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 12
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Holmenkollen, Norway
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Holmenkollen, Norway

PROGRAM

Saturday, March 11: 50km Mass Start F (Find more details here)

• 10:30 CET: 50km Mass Start F, Men

Sunday, March 12: 50km Mass Start F (Find more details here)

• 10:15 CET: 50km Mass Start F, Women

New this season is the same race distances for women and men in all World Cup events, as the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) decided in May. Several other changes have also been introduced to the World Cup.

Read More: Cross-Country Skiing Changes And World Cup Calendar For The 2022/2023 Season

Also Read: New Distances At The Cross-Country Skiing World Cup