Klæbo Faces Challenge in Roller Ski Sprint Final at Toppidrettsveka

Norwegian cross-country skiing sensation Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has had a challenging pre-season, grappling with health issues and injuries that have cost him an estimated 100 hours of training this summer. His struggles were apparent during the roller ski sprint held at Toppidrettsveka on Thursday, where he finished last in the final.

During the provisional round of the classic sprint, spectators noted Klæbo's unusual performance. Oskar Opstad Vike, a talented first-year senior skier, clocked the fastest time, leaving Klæbo trailing by five seconds. His path to the finals was tense; he barely made it through the quarterfinals as a lucky loser.

In the final, Klæbo could not keep pace with Vike, who dominated the race, while Edvin Anger claimed second place and Anton Grahn secured third. Klæbo crossed the finish line in sixth place, bringing up the rear in the final.

"Whether I finish fifth or sixth doesn't matter," Klæbo told NRK. He acknowledged that he eased off toward the race’s end. While he was realistic about the day's performance, he expressed no surprise at the outcome and strived to stay positive. He noted that he typically responds well to limited training and is not concerned about the forthcoming World Championships season.

On the women's side, Hedda Östberg Amundsen took the top spot, with Johanna Hagström finishing in third.