Klaebo is a legend: six golds out of six at the World Championships, no one like him

Originally published in Gazzetta.it on March 08, 2025

Klaebo is a legend: six golds out of six at the World Championships, no one like him

In the World Cup of biathlon, Giacomel finished second in the Pursuit. Meanwhile, Michela Moioli secured her 44th career podium in snowboard cross.

On March 8, 2025 - MILAN

The six gold medals of Johannes Klaebo. Never has anyone achieved what he has at the World Championships in cross-country skiing: 6 victories out of 6 events, the latest today in the 50 km freestyle, which was the last challenge he hadn’t yet conquered in a legendary career at just 28, with 7 Olympic medals (5 gold) and 18 at the World Championships. At the championship in Trondheim, his home, in front of 100,000 spectators, Klaebo also reached the milestone of 18 medals, surpassing another cross-country legend, Bjørn Dæhlie, who famously secured a total of 17 championships podiums but has 8 Olympic golds to his name.

Now Klaebo stands at 18 podiums with 15 golds, along with 2 silvers and a bronze, only the compatriot Marit Bjørgen boasts more World Championship titles (18 out of 26 podium finishes), and she too has retired. In this latest edition, Klaebo surpassed Petter Northug, who has 16 podiums (13 golds).

Indeed, no one compares to him: a clean sweep reminiscent of Russian Elena Vyalbe, who at the same location in 1997 won 5 consecutive races: back then, there were no sprints as today; in that edition, Vyalbe consistently prevailed over Stefania Belmondo.

DISTANCES

Klaebo is the man for all specialties, both in time trials and pursuits: in this edition, he won the Sprint in freestyle, the 10 km in classic technique, the skiathlon of 20 km, the 50 km skating, as well as both men’s relay races. Immense. And to think that before the start of the World Championships, there were worries about a physical problem of his.

In the last race, Amundsen and Nyenget tried to shake him off, but at the finish line, Klaebo demonstrated his quick burst of speed, triumphing in 1h 57’47”1, ahead of the Swede William Poromaa (by 2”1) and fellow Norwegian Simen Krueger, who finished third at 8”5. Nyenget, who fell just a kilometer from the finish, ended up fourth at 18”6, and Amundsen was fifth at 51”8 after trying an early attack.

Martino Carollo and Simone Daprà finished 28th and 29th, ten minutes behind, while Giovanni Ticcò came in 34th with Paolo Ventura 37th. Italy’s men’s team wraps up with the silver from Federico Pellegrino, who also performed well in the skiathlon (fourth) and in the relays, securing fifth and sixth places. Closing day will feature the women’s 50 km race with Therese Johaug as favorite, the only Italian participant being Maria Gismondi.

BIATHLON: GIACOMEL 2nd

In the World Cup of biathlon at Nove Mesto, Tommaso Giacomel achieved his fifth podium in a row, securing second place in the Pursuit, again finishing behind the Swede Sebastian Samuelsson, with a delay of 26”4.

The Swedish competitor, who finished eleventh in the sprint, demonstrated prowess with a perfect shooting record, while Giacomel managed to make a difference at the last shooting range, where he was flawless compared to his competitors who were vying for the podium alongside him (the third spot went to Norwegian Johannes Boe). Despite a hiccup with his rifle that forced him to interrupt the shooting series before the final shot, the Italian athlete executed a stress-free final lap, allowing him to update his brilliant streak which has seen him win the mass start in Ruhpolding, secure third place both in the sprint and the pursuit in Anterselva, and claim silver in the individual event at the World Championships. Giacomel said, "It's a fantastic period, but I won't get carried away; I’m just at the start of my journey." In the women’s pursuit, French Julia Simon triumphed over her compatriots Michelon and Jeanmonnot, while Italy’s Dorothea Wierer finished a respectable sixth, just 10” off the podium after a misstep in the final shooting process.

SNOWBOARD - MOIOLI 3rd

Michela Moioli placed third in the first World Cup snowboard cross event of the season in Gudauri, Georgia: this marks her 44th career podium, making her the Italian woman with the most podium finishes in snowboard history, surpassing Marion Posch. The Olympic champion from Bergamo reached the finale undefeated, winning in the quarter and semifinals. In the decisive round, after a slightly challenging start, Moioli was hindered by the fall of the Swiss Noemie Wiedmer, allowing the French duo Julia Pereira de Sousa and Lea Casta to capitalize on it. Michi returns to the podium for the second time this season after finishing second in February in Beidahu. "Today was intense," she recounted after the finish, "because I‘m recovering from a bothersome illness. Last night I was running a fever of 38.5°, but I wanted to be here at all costs—and in the end, I prevailed. I’m glad I secured my 44th podium." The second place allows Lea Casta to close in on Charlotte Bankes, who, despite failing to qualify, continues to lead the World Cup standings with 465 points, while Casta moves up to 445; third is Josie Baff (339), with Michela Moioli fourth at 303. The corresponding men’s event was ultimately won by Austrian Jakob Dusek, who triumphed over Australian Adam Lambert in the final; Eliot Grondin was out in the quarterfinal after finishing third behind Lambert and Loan Bozzolo. Omar Visintin managed to progress through the heats but had to stop in the quarterfinal after placing third behind Adam Lambert and Loan Bozzolo.