Klæbo: "I have trained for X number of years and lived like an ascetic to achieve this"

Traditional skiing

Klæbo: “I have trained for X number of years and lived like an ascetic to achieve this”

by Ingeborg Scheve/Translated by Katerina Paul • 06.03.2025

Member Article

Photo: Kent Murdoch

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had already secured four World Championships gold medals on home soil. The third was even harder to win—but all the more meaningful. He dares not calculate what it has cost him.

Klæbo claimed his 13th World Championships gold and his fourth consecutive victory at home. Before the Team Sprint gold, the 10-kilometer classic race with an interval start was his third gold in true Trondheim weather, cheered on by 30,000 ecstatic spectators. It was a brutal effort—but worth every drop of sweat.

There’s no doubt that Klæbo had felt the pressure of never winning a distance race with an interval start. Until a few days ago. Klæbo won the 10km race by more than eight seconds ahead of Erik Valnes in second place. Harald Østberg Amundsen took bronze, 11 seconds behind Klæbo.

Also Read: Klæbo wins 10km interval start at the Trondheim World Championships

How Much Did This Race Cost?

“I haven’t calculated that. It’s 28 minutes of pure suffering, and it’s a tough day. It’s the World Championships—once every so often. I’ve been waiting to race this classic interval start for a while now. I’ve finally managed to accomplish something I’ve been striving for, and it means a lot. It could have cost me everything. And it’s going to take its toll over the next two days,” Klæbo said after his victory.

“I had to dig very, very deep for this one. And now, we’ll try again on Saturday.”

Not Worried About the 50KM

Klæbo isn’t concerned about how this effort might affect his performance in Saturday’s 50-kilometer race, widely considered the premier event of the World Championships.

“Sure, I could have rested and saved everything for the 50K, but there are important races before then. I would have regretted just sitting back and conserving energy for the 50km. I think it’s important to seize the moment,” he said.

“For me, this interval start meant a lot. And it feels great to have it in the bag. I have trained for X number of years and lived like an ascetic to achieve this.”