Klaebo Triumphs in 50 km Classic at Oslo: A Farewell to Maurice Manificat

In a thrilling climax at the scenic Holmenkollen venue in Oslo, Johannes Klaebo claimed victory in the 50 km classic race, outpacing his fellow Norwegians Martin Nyenget and Paal Golberg in a nail-biting sprint finish. The race was particularly exciting as eight competitors surged into the stadium, each with a realistic shot at victory—a rare and exhilarating sight in cross-country skiing.

Klaebo, widely recognized as the world's preeminent sprinter, demonstrated his exceptional skill with a powerful burst of speed in the final stretch. He notably finished just 0.4 seconds ahead of Nyenget and crossed the line 1.1 seconds before Golberg, with Harald Amundsen and Didrik Toenseth rounding out the top finishers. French athlete Théo Schely achieved a respectable 14th place, marking him as the top performer from France.

This race also marked a poignant farewell for Maurice Manificat, the celebrated French skier and four-time Olympic medalist, who announced earlier in the week that he would retire after this event. Manificat finished in 47th place, but took a moment to revel in the support of the crowd and his teammates, who greeted him with a heartfelt "Merci Momo" banner to honor his illustrious career.