The World Championships 2025 continues this Saturday in Trondheim, Norway, with the 50km mass start race in freestyle technique for men. Can Klæbo take all the 6 World Championships gold?

Trondheim World Championships – 50km Freestyle for Men

It has been golden days for Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in his hometown of Trondheim. But can he do the same as Elena Välbe did here in 1997: Taking all the gold medals in the same World Championships?

He passed one milestone in the relay when he overtook Petter Northug’s 13 gold medals. Klæbo will have 15 if he wins the 50km. The distance he has never won before, even though he crossed the line first in Oberstdorf 2021.

ABOUT THE RACE

The 50km race is the one with most traditions at the World Championships, from the Czech Frantisek Donth, who won the first in 1925, till Pål Golberg in Planica 2023. It is now 100 years after the first edition.

It’s also a big question if Johannes Høsflot Klæbo can win all the 6 gold medals in the Championships. He overtook Petter Northug jr with his 14th WCH-gold in the relay and now he can reach 15. But he has never won the longest distance, even though he was the first over the line in Obertsdorf 2021 after the crash with Alexander Bolshunov.

At that time, they were both disqualified, and Emil Iversen got the gold.

Klæbo or not, it’s likely that Norway will dominate again and that they will take all the men’s gold medals in their hometurf championships. The 50km is a mass start race, this time in the free technique.

FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS

• 1925     Frantisek Donth, Czechoslovakia
• 1926     Matti Raivio, Finland
• 1927     John Lindgren, Sweden
• 1929     Anselm Knuttila, Finland
• 1930     Sven Utterström, Sweden
• 1931     Ole Stenen, Norway
• 1933     Veli Saarinen, Finland
• 1934     Elis Wiklund, Sweden
• 1935     Nils-Joel Englund, Sweden
• 1937     Pekka Niemi, Finland
• 1938     Kalle Jalkanen, Finland
• 1939     Lars Bergendahl, Norway
• 1950     Gunnar Eriksson, Sweden
• 1954     Vladimir Kuzin, Soviet Union
• 1958     Sixten Jernberg, Sweden
• 1962     Sixten Jernberg, Sweden
• 1966     Gjermund Eggen, Norway
• 1970     Kalevi Oikarainen, Finland
• 1974     Gerhard Grimmer, DDR
• 1978     Sven-Åke Lundbäck, Sweden
• 1982     Thomas Wassberg, Sweden
• 1985     Gunde Svan, Sweden
• 1987     Maurilio De Zolt, Italy
• 1989     Gunde Svan, Sweden
• 1991     Torgny Mogren, Sweden
• 1993     Torgny Mogren, Sweden
• 1995     Silvio Fauner, Italy
• 1997     Mika Myllylä, Finland
• 1999     Mika Myllylä, Finland
• 2001     Johann Mühlegg, Spain
• 2003     Martin Koukal, Czechia
• 2005     Frode Estil, Norway (mass start classic)
• 2007     Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, Norway (mass start classic)
• 2009     Petter Northug jr, Norway (mass start free)
• 2011     Petter Northug jr, Norway (mass start free)
• 2013     Johan Olsson, Sweden (mass start classic)
• 2015     Petter Northug jr, Norway (mass start classic)
• 2017     Alex Harvey, Canada (mass start free)
• 2019     Hans-Christer Holund, Norway (mass start free)
• 2021     Emil Iversen, Norway (mass start classic)
• 2023     Pål Golberg, Norway (mass start classic)

FAVORITES

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Norway

Chasing his 15th WCH-gold in his hometown. There have been golden days for the golden boy at home snow. This is also a distance he has never won, so the motivation is on top despite a heavy program during the week. If others want to win, they need to get away from Klæbo.

Harald Østberg Amundsen, Norway

Beside Klæbo and Krüger, the one with the most elegant technique in skating. Amundsen also has a good sprint, and he got his first ever gold in the relay. In his first WCH in Oberstdorf 2021 he took bronze over 15km with a fall. If Klæbo fails, Amundsen is the biggest favorite.

Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Norway

The main chance was in many people’s eyes the 10km classic. But Nyenget fell from a medal just before the entrance to the finish. He is also good at skating and his endurance is one of the best in the field. Has not the championships-experience like Klæbo and Krüger but will fight for the medals again.

OUTSIDERS

Hugo Lapalus, France

A disappointing championship for the French team. But Hugo Lapalus is never giving up and he is one who can hang on till the end. Together with the youngster Desloges the ones to hope for in the French team.

William Poromaa, Sweden

Took the bronze in Planica 2023 and showed form in Trondheim. Maybe not 100% in the relay, but Poromaa has his sight on another trip to the podium. He is equally good in classic and skating, and he has proved that he has the endurance for 50km.

Pål Golberg, Norway

The reigning champion making his debut in Trondheim. Wasn’t picked for the Norwegian team but has his private place as the champion. But the veteran Golberg showed form by making his first victory of the season in Falun a couple of weeks before the championships. May be an advantage to come fresh into the last event.

Mika Vermeulen, Austria

Hasn’t lived up to expectations in Trondheim. After having been a regular top contender on the World Cup, it was expected that Vermeulen should be closer to the medals here. But the 50km mass start is probably his best event, so there is still a chance.

Simen Hegstad Krüger, Norway

Got the last place in the Norwegian team. This is the distance he has been waiting for and where he is best. Has both Olympic and Worlds titles and is one of the few who can just go away from the field. But there are question marks over his form. Is Krüger in his best shape?

START LIST

The start list can be found HERE

The 2025 World Championships continues this Saturday in Trondheim, Norway. Here is the complete competition program, with the start list and start time for the 50km mass start race in freestyle technique for men.

Saturday, March 8 (More information HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 50km Mass Start Freestyle, Men

See below the complete program for the World Championships in Trondheim, Norway.

FACTS 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships

• When: Wednesday, February 26, to Sunday, March 9, 2025
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Trondheim, Norway
• What: FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025

Wednesday, February 26 (More information HERE)

• 13:30 CET: Qualification, 7.5km Classic, Women
• 15:30 CET: Qualification, 7.5km Classic, Men

Thursday, February 27 (More information HERE)

• 10:00 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Women
• 10:52 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Men
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Finals Freestyle, Women
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Finals Freestyle, Men

Saturday, March 1 (More information HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon Classic/Freestyle, Men

Sunday, March 2 (More information HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon Classic/Freestyle, Women

Tuesday, March 4 (More information HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic – Women

Wednesday, March 5 (More information HERE)

• 11:00 CET: Team Sprint Qualification Classic, Women
• 11:29 CET: Team Sprint Qualification Classic, Men
• 14:30 CET: Team Sprint Classic, Women
• 15:02 CET: Team Sprint Classic, Men

Thursday, March 6 (More information HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay Classic/Freestyle, Men

Friday, March 7 (More information HERE)

• 13:15 CET: 4×7.5km Relay Classic/Freestyle, Women

Saturday, March 8 (More information HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 50km Mass Start Freestyle, Men

Sunday, March 9 (More information HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 50km Mass Start Freestyle, Women

PROGRAM (traditional cross-country skiing program) 

Also Read: Cross-country skiing program for the Trondheim World Championships

The Nordic World Ski Championships is taking place in Trondheim, Norway, from February 26 to March 9, 2025. It promises to be the largest sporting event in Norway in 15 years, with more than 300.000 spectators expected to attend. 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.