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In what has already been an action packed season; it’s hard to believe that this is only week three of the World Cup season. This weekend’s venue is Oestersund, Sweden where the Classic Sprint competitions were held. The question going into the men’s race was whether Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo’s (NOR) return to the World Cup circuit, after a brief hiatus to deal with Covid, would also mark his return to Sprint domination. Two weeks ago, in Ruka, he finished third in the Classic Sprint—his worst Sprint finish since 2018—a red flag that something wasn’t right.
America’s hopes were riding on Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker. Ogden had finished 11th in the Classic Sprint two weeks ago, and hopes for him were high. Ogden has thrilled fans with many exciting races, but team USA was hoping that he would be able to find a way to the final round. To do that, he would need to break through a field with eight Norwegian contenders having advanced beyond the qualifying round. JC Schoonmaker would also carry the American hopes into the finals.
It ended up being a great day for team USA. In the finals it was Klaebo first, Erik Valnes (NOR) in second and JC Schoonmaker (USA) taking third with his first ever World Cup podium. Ben Ogden finished fourth. Other American finishers were Gus Schumacher 39th, Zanden McMullen 43rd, Luke Jager 52nd, Kevin Bolger 59th, and Will Koch 68th.
The top Canadian finisher was Antoine Cyr in 16th. Other Canadian finishers were Xavier McKeever 43rd, and Leo Grandbois 65th.
Men’s Classic Sprint
Two Americans qualified for the heats: Ben Ogden, who was third in the qualifiers drew the fifth heat, with JC Schoonmaker, who was fifth in the qualifiers, drawing the fourth heat.
Sprint Quarterfinals
The questions about Klaebo would be addressed in the first heat, where he was up against countryman, Valnes. Iivo Niskanen (FIN) set the early pace trying to take advantage of his expert Classic technique, but he couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Norwegians. At the finish, Valnes and Klaebo broke away from the field taking 1-2. At this point, it appeared that Klaebo was back in form. Not that he needed it, but Klaebo might have had a little extra incentive today. If he won, he would break the tie he was in with Marit Bjorgen (NOR) for the most individual World Cup Sprint wins.
In the second heat, the hometown crowd was treated to a thrill as two Swedes dominated with Calle Halfvarsson and Oskar Svensson taking first and second.
The third heat saw the lone Canadian qualifier, Antoine Cyr, jump out with the leaders. He hung with the front pack throughout the race, and at the end of the heat finished third and held a position as a lucky loser which might have allowed him to advance; however, other racers later supplanted him, and he ended up finishing 16th.
The fourth heat was a thriller as Schoonmaker took the lead from the start, the rest of the field filing in right behind him. Schoonmaker continued to press from the front the entire way and began to split the field, but at the two minute mark the Frenchman Jules Chappaz took the lead with Schoonmaker now second and Norwegian Even Northug closing on him. The three battled it out at the finish. It was Schoonmaker putting in a tremendous double pole burst at the end, finishing in a photo finish with Northug. Northug took the photo for first, but Schoonmaker’s second place finish would move him forward. Chappaz held on for a lucky loser position.
The final heat featured American Ben Ogden. He replicated what seemed to be the American strategy today by going to the front quickly. Veteran Lucas Chanavat (FRA) was able to push the pace and Ogden could not hang with the group as he began to drift and was fourth two minutes into the race. At this point, two racers went down, thinning the field. Marcus Grate (SWE) dropped out with an injury, and Niilo Moilanen (FIN) got tangled, fell, and was dropped. This provided the breathing room Ogden needed; when it looked like Ogden wasn’t going to advance, he was able to pick his way through the crowd, put on a quick burst and found the finish line first. It was an inspiring comeback.
Two Americans would advance to the semi-finals in a Classic Sprint. An historic event for team USA.
Sprint Semifinals
Klaebo landed in the first semi-final with two other Norwegians and three Swedes. Klaebo went right to the front along with countryman Erik Valnes. It was a very moderate pace for the first half of the race when Klaebo then decided to push the pace by maximizing his speed on the downhills. He put in a quick turn of pace and was quickly able to gap the field. Klaebo appeared to be his old self easily winning the race. Valnes finished second.
Both Americans were in the second heat and faced a very challenging field of Northug, Haavard Taugboel (NOR), Chanavat, and Jules Chappaz (FRA). Two Americans, two Norwegians, and two Frenchmen.
Ogden went to the lead early along with Schoonmaker. It was Americans 1-2 early on as they established a bit of a gap on the field. Schoonmaker continued to press and was able to maintain the lead. Ogden then found himself trapped in a corner but was able to push his way through the field. Schoonmaker continued to push and finished first in dominating fashion. Ogden was able to hang on for second. It was team USA 1-2 in the semifinal!
Sprint Final
In the Sprint final, Schoonmaker and Ogden would face all Norwegians with Klaebo leading the way, along with Taugboel, Valnes, and Northug.
Once again Klaebo went right to the front, but Schoonmaker was right behind him looking for an opening in which to pass. Ogden pressed forward coming up from the outside and joined the skiers at the front. Schoonmaker continued to push and at the 1:30 mark was ahead of Klaebo and punishing the field. Schoonmaker and Klaebo continued to fight hard for the lead. But Klaebo did what he does best: put in a burst and surge ahead of everyone. Schoonmaker was still holding on for a podium when Valnes passed him near the finish.
Klaebo put the hurt on the field and was able to then coast to first. He erased any doubts that he was back in vintage Klaebo form. Valnes held on to second with Schoonmaker taking third. Ogden continued to ski strong and held on to fourth. It was a thrilling, emotional, and historic race for team USA.
Regarding his first podium, Schoonmaker said that, “[it] just means so much to me that it’s hard to even describe. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, so to get up there today and have Ben really close right with me is just such a sweet feeling.”
Schoonmaker commented on his Classic Sprint success that, “I feel like I am probably a bit stronger in Classic than Skate right now, but also it’s hard to say considering we haven’t had a skate sprint yet this year.” He continued that, [I] definitely feel confident in both after a good race today and feeling like I’m in good shape at the moment.”
He continued that the historic nature of having two Americans in a Classic final wasn’t lost on him; “Ben and I have both been looking to make it to the final now for a while and both of us getting it done on the same day is a dream scenario. I’ve been excited for U.S. skiing and U.S. men’s skiing for a while now but today has really stoked the flame and I feel more motivated to keep it up and more proud to be a part of it than ever before.”
Ben Ogden also had opinions on today’s top finishes. He said, “I think it goes to show that Americans are so much stronger together. Today I never would have made it as far as I did if JC wasn’t there and I bet he feels the same. It was a truly spectacular day and it will make us want to do it all again that much more.”
The performance inspired the entire team. Jessie Diggins said that, “those boys brought me to tears … that was amazing, they’ve worked so hard for so long, they’ve kept believing. To see JC get his first career podium … I’m going to remember that forever. I couldn’t possibly be more proud of both of them.”
Check back with FasterSkier throughout the day as this story will be updated with quotes and comments from Team USA athletes and staff.
Men’s Sprint RESULTS
