Klæbo Prioritizes Hard This Winter: 'I Can Say That With Certainty Now'

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is not afraid to skip major competitions to be as prepared as possible for the upcoming World Championships on home soil. This marks the first time since 2011 that the World Ski Championships will be hosted in Norway, with Trondheim being the selected city.

For the 27-year-old Klæbo, this event is particularly special as he hails from Byåsen, making the championship feel close to home. He humorously notes that this year's season opener in Beitostølen will be quickly forgotten if he performs well in February, during the World Championships.

Klæbo firmly believes that this championship will be the highlight of the winter for him and the Norwegian cross-country skiing elite. He underscores the importance of organizing his schedule for peak performance in late February and early March.

"The overall World Cup, sprint cup, distance cup... none of that matters to me," he states. Instead, he is focusing on winning medals in the events he competes in.

Klæbo's preparation has not been without challenges; he faced health issues and an elbow injury during the summer, causing him to miss significant training time. However, he remains optimistic that he can recover in time, stating that he has built enough of a foundation over the years to bounce back effectively.

As the ski season approaches, Klæbo is set on prioritizing his participation in the World Championships over other competitions, ensuring that his training aligns with this major goal.