Johannes Høsflot Klæbo can look back on 16 individual World Cup victories, second place in the World Cup overall, a victory in the sprint World Cup, and two Norwegian national championship gold medals, as well as earning by far the most prize money this winter. This even though parts of the season, including Tour de Ski, were ruined by Covid and flu.

“It was a good season. I’m satisfied,” says Klæbo to Langrenn.com.

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But now the focus is on the World Championships in Trondheim.

“I’m looking forward to training. That’s the most important thing. I’m looking forward to starting the dryland season and getting started on the road to the World Championships.”

On April 12, it was announced that Klæbo and the Norwegian Ski Association had reached an agreement that would see the cross-country skiing star return to the national team for at least the next two seasons.

Read More: Klæbo is back to the Norwegian national team

Triggered by the 50km

Klæbo hopes to race as many events as possible during the championships in Trondheim but admits that the 50km race, in particular, is a bit of a trigger.

At the 2023 World Championships in Planica, he took silver in the 50km race, one second behind Pål Golberg. At the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf, Klæbo crossed the finish line in the first place but was disqualified afterward for obstructing Alexander Bolshunov on the course.

“There are many tempting distances, but the 50km race is a big one,” says Klæbo.

But there are a lot of training hours to be put in before the World Championships. And the 27-year-old is looking forward to that job. The run-up formally starts on May 1, but Klæbo has already nailed down most of the details.

How do you feel about returning to the Norwegian national team?

“It will be good. I really enjoy being part of the team here. I’ve traveled a lot with them this winter, too, so in that sense, there won’t be much new. But I’ll be taking part in a gathering this summer and some in the fall. So, I’m looking forward to it,” says Klæbo.

Klæbo appreciates the camaraderie and exchange of experience within the team, both socially and professionally.  

“We talk a lot and enjoy each other’s company. It’s hard to say anything specific, but I get a lot of ideas that can be the start and breeding ground for something else. It becomes a soup of different things, and then you end up picking out something.”

Altitude training plan

One of the negotiating points for Klæbo, when the national team agreement was being negotiated, was the freedom to run his own altitude program. He got his wish, which means he’s continuing with the plan he’s been working on for the past few seasons.

“I’ll have around 100 days at altitude ahead of the World Championships,” he tells Langrenn.com.

Altitude training is an important part of Klæbo’s preparation for the season, this year as well as last, and is part of a long-term and comprehensive plan for the 2025 World Championships and 2026 Olympics. The project started several seasons ago, and coach-grandfather Kåre Høsflot, together with Johannes, has organized the training at altitude.

For the coming season, Klæbo is planning at least 100 days at altitude, divided into three periods from late summer until the Tour de Ski.

“It will be Park City in the USA in August. Livigno is on the cards in October-November. I’ll also be celebrating Christmas at altitude. I haven’t quite decided on that, but I think it will be Davos,” says Klæbo, and adds:

“Some practical matters need to be resolved, and tickets and such need to be booked. But that’s the rough plan at the moment.”