Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is still without an agreement with the Norwegian Ski Association and the National Team but is preparing as usual and hoping for a solution. Now, he reveals his alternative plan.

Klæbo won Toppidrettsveka overall in Norway a few weeks ago and soon traveled to the USA, where he will be in the next four weeks in Park City, Utah, for his planned altitude training camp.

The camp in the USA is an integral part of the preparations for Klæbo’s winter season and part of a long-term and comprehensive plan for the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics.

What is more uncertain this upcoming season is what he is preparing for. 

Last year, Klæbo agreed with the Norwegian National Team, opening an opportunity to run his altitude training camps, as no National Team camp in altitude had been planned. 

But this year, Klæbo has decided to drop out of the Norwegian National Team, meaning he must organize and finance his training and preparations with his resources. 

The big question mark is whether or not Klæbo gets to start at the World Cup. Currently, there is still no contract between Klæbo and the National Team. And without an agreement, there is no World Cup. 

Can you stay calm knowing that this is not settled yet?  

“There is a full season until the 2025 World Championships, and I aim for next season. It’s just to take things easy, train and do the best possible job until then, and hope that it works out as well as possible,” says Klæbo after finishing the pursuit race at Toppidrettsveka and added: 

“The coming winter is, of course, an important season, with Tour de Ski and other races, but it is a long time until the World Championships, and in the big picture, it is the World Championships at home that is the most important.” 

Reveals the backup plan 

Klæbo is apparently relaxed despite still not having an agreement with the National Team because he has an alternative plan.

“I’m going to start this winter and go skiing,” says Klæbo, and added: 

“I have an offer to join Team Janteloppet. It could be a good alternative if there is no World Cup.” 

Team Janteloppet is Petter Northug’s Ski Classics Pro Team. Klæbo has previously hinted that he is open to long-distance skiing. Now, there is a concrete offer between the two cross-country skiing superstars. In the long-distance race during Toppidrettsveka, Klæbo finished in 11th place, three seconds behind the winner.

The article continues below.

“All in” for Ski Classics

Petter Northug made a comeback as a Pro Team athlete last season and is going “all in” for Ski Classics on several levels next winter. 

Firstly, the 37-year-old has shown that he is in excellent shape compared to last year. 

Also Read: The training that brought Northug back to the top 

Furthermore, Northug is finalizing his Team Janteloppet’s roster for the upcoming Ski Classics Season XV.  

In addition, Northug is also organizing the long-distance race Janteloppet, the Grand Finale for the Ski Classics Season XV. 

Read More: 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet ending Season XV
Also Read: Jantloppet relocates to a new ski stadium

Ski Classics from shorter races to 100km event

The Ski Classics Season XV calendar offers a varied race program with distances and levels relevant to Klæbo in chasing individual World Championships gold medals. 

For Season XV, Ski Classics has set up three short races of 10, 12, and 15 kilometers, two of 35 kilometers, five races from 50 to 55 kilometers, and five races with lengths from 60 to 100 kilometers.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, visit skiclassics.com.