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A few weeks ago, Norwegian commentator (and Ski Hall of Famer) Petter Northug criticized his countrymen for failing to attack Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) more aggressively in a mass start distance race. Northug is likely to lob those same criticisms at the contenders in today’s field after a fast-paced but decidedly undramatic 50 k Classic Mass Start. With only a few kilometers remaining, finally Andreas Fjorden Ree (NOR) went to the front, hoping to detach Klaebo and give himself a chance at the podium—or the win. But if the attack doesn’t sink Klaebo, then everyone else is pretty much sunk. Two kilometers to go, and Klaebo was back on the front. Krueger attempted to attack on the final uphill, but what Klaebo really seemed to want is someone to lead at this point so that he can slingshot around them on the final downhill. Thanks for your assistance, Mr. Krueger . . .
Klaebo coasted to the win ahead of Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (NOR) and Krueger whose placing would be more than sufficient to earn him the Distance Crystal Globe.
Everybody wanted to win this one . . . the World Cup 50 k is an event that’s staged only rarely (usually at Holmenkollen and in the World Cup finale) and winning a major international race of this distance is all about bragging rights. It’s a race that is on the schedule at every Olympics and World Championships, but not very many other times. And this particular 50 k is in Classic technique. Everybody wanted to win this one.
Men’s 50 k Classic
While Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo wrapped up the Sprint and Overall Crystal Globes last week, the Distance Globe was still to be decided when today’s race began. Krueger led by more than 100 points, but he was not the only contender today in Lahti. Paal Golberg (the 2023 World Champion at 50 k) announced his retirement prior to the race; he was likely to be inspired by his own legacy. Iivo Niskanen is a Classic technique specialist; he was likely to be driven forward by the urgings of the eager Finnish crowd. William Poromaa (SWE) was a medalist at the recent World Championshp 50 k; he would be keenly interested in upgrading.
One way or another, the men’s race was unlikely to unfold in a manner similar to the earlier women’s race (in which Therese Johaug simply skied away from everyone). No single male racer was sufficiently stronger than the rest to simply ski away, and one of the primary contenders—Klaebo—was more of a sprinter. It would be up to him to keep the pace moderate. It would be up to everyone else to drop him (just ask Petter Northug).
Klaebo and Poromaa set the pace in the first lap, with all other contenders staying within striking distance. A 15-man front group began to form, one that also included Gus Schumacher (USA) Olivier Leveille (CAN), and Niskanen. Leveille found himself gapped by 15 kilometers, but Schumacher and Niskanen continued to occupy positions in a lead group that had been whittled down to eight.
At the end of Lap 3, Ree stumbled on the last turn before the stadium, creating a split in the lead group. Klaebo and Nyenget drifted off the front, followed by Poromaa and Krueger. Schumacher and Friederich Moch (GER) struggled to regain contact. Niskanen stopped to change skis, leaving him off the back and all alone. He’d hope that his new, faster skis would enable him to catch up.
