Klæbo takes a jab at Swedish star after finish – gets a response back

– We are not exactly best friends, to say the least, says Edvin Anger.

The Swede won the sprint in France's Les Rousses earlier in January, but Klæbo, who is a strong favorite for the World Championships at home, did not compete.

The two faced off again in the sprint final in Engadin on Saturday, where the Norwegian triumphed easily over the Swede. After crossing the finish line, Klæbo was clearly looking for Anger, which was captured by television cameras.

– Yes, I was looking for him a bit, but it took some time before I found him.

Klæbo mentioned that they talked a bit in the finish area, about how it will be an exciting day tomorrow. That is when the 20 kilometers is at stake.

– What does a little Swedish rivalry matter as the World Championships approach?

– It’s very nice. We’ll take that with us, replies Klæbo.

NRK's cross-country skiing expert Anders Aukland called the gesture nonchalant, while the Swedish newspaper Expressen described it as arrogant.

Anger himself is pleased with Klæbo's reaction in the finish area.

– That’s good; at least he listens to what I say, the Swede says.

Should be rivalry

Earlier, Anger revealed to NRK that he and Klæbo have not found common ground at all.

– I feel he doesn't think it’s great that a Swede suddenly can beat him.

– How do you notice this?

– You can feel it. It seems like I am the last person he wants to be beaten by. But it should be rivalry; I also just want to beat him, says the Swede.

And he adds rhetorically:

– Why should I be friends with my worst competitor?

Felt overlooked

Anger also shares a specific episode with Klæbo.

After the Swede had sprinted past Klæbo over the last hill during the pursuit start in Toblach, the two Scandinavians were supposed to stand together on the podium.

Anger on the second-highest tier and Klæbo on the third-highest.

– I don’t think he looked at me at all, Anger says.

When asked about the episode in Toblach, Anger says that Klæbo "maybe mumbled something, but I felt as if he didn’t see me."

According to Anger, Klæbo did not say "good job" or anything like that.

Klæbo on Swedish success: – About time

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo tells NRK that he doesn’t recognize Anger’s version of the episode in Toblach.

– But I care very little about it. It’s nice that Anger has started skiing a bit faster. It’s about time. And it's great that the Swedes are getting someone up there; it's important for the sport. I’m just glad for it, says Klæbo.

He adds that Edvin Anger has shown potential for many years and has taken time to rise to the top of the world.

– Now he has both a podium place and a World Cup victory. It's beginning to resemble something, brags the Norwegian.

On the ‘blacklist’

Earlier, NRK reported on the Swedish women’s "blacklist" of runners they try to avoid in the field.

Anger is sure Klæbo has him on his list.

– It seems like the Norwegians hate us, and that neither Klæbo nor Amundsen likes me or “Wille” out on the track.

Contact: Post-race interactions

The rivalry is evident even in warm moments; Anger took Klæbo's hand after the pursuit race in Toblach.

– Have you the slightest doubt in your rivalry?

– Exactly not. It has to be firm, which it is. But it’s professional.

Aiming for the sprint

For Anger, the sprint in Trondheim is the big goal.

– If everything works and my body feels fine, the course should suit me well, says Anger.

His only World Cup win came in the sprint at Les Rousses.

But at that event, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who has won the sprint in the last three World Championships – in addition to the Olympics in both 2018 and 2022, did not compete.

The World Championships on skis will take place from February 26 to March 9.