They have shared rooms, rumors, and roller ski sessions – and according to Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the bromance has worked wonders. Now he believes Emil Iversen is in such good shape that only minor details stand between his friend and an Olympic comeback.

In the buildup to the season opener at Beitostølen, Klæbo has spent more time with Iversen than with his fiancée, Pernille. Altogether, they have travelled together for nine weeks. The purpose of this extended “cohabitation” has been multifaceted.

For Klæbo, it was about getting new impulses and making the training period less lonely.

After last season, which ended in roaring success and six out of six gold medals at the home World Championships, the ski star was crystal clear: he did not want to continue in the same way. And the change has done him good, he says.

“It’s been great, we’ve had a good time and trained well,” Klæbo told Langrenn.com after his second straight win at the season opener.

A test at Beitostølen

For Emil Iversen, the bromance has been about absorbing everything he can from the world’s best skier.

Saturday was exam day for the student, and the teacher liked what he saw.

“Emil is very close to delivering a really good race. It doesn’t take much before it becomes very good,” Klæbo says about his friend’s eighth place in the classic race at Beitostølen on Saturday afternoon.

“But I think he can do better than what he showed today. So, I hope he gets out what he’s capable of tomorrow.”

On Sunday, Iversen finished 18th, 1:03.6 behind the winner, in the 10km freestyle interval start race.

Also Read: Biathlete wins 10km freestyle in Beitostølen

Going all in for the Olympics

Together with his fiancée, Bettina Burud, Iversen decided to give the 2026 Winter Olympics a real shot. Now the veteran wants to strike back with a comeback that really makes an impact.

He already has a plan for how to make the Olympic team.

“The optimal scenario is that I win a race at Beitostølen, get a podium in Ruka, and secure an Olympic spot.”

Also Read: Iversen bets everything on one last Olympic run

Winter Olympics

After Saturday’s eighth place in the 10km classic, that meant Iversen ideally needed to win Sunday’s 10km freestyle. That is also an event on the Olympic program in February.

The 2026 Olympics will be held from February 6–22 in Milano-Cortina. Norway currently has a quota of seven male skiers, but it may be expanded to eight. This will be decided in mid-January. The final Olympic selection will be made at the end of January.

Read More: Program for cross-country skiing at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

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