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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.
Schumacher dropped off the pace at the mid-point of the race where he was caught by the newly replenished skis of Niskanen. Many of the contenders in the seven-man lead group would soon be stopping for fresh skis. When they did, Niskanen would likely hit the gas in an attempt to gap them all.
At the end of Lap 4, all the leaders stopped for new skis . . . all except Niskanen, that is. He skied on alone, determined to gap the group while he could. Poromaa led the chaseers out of the exchange, but they’d all ceded 10 seconds to Niskanen. Moments later, Schumacher stopped for new skis, as well, hoping that the change would allow him to re-establish contact with the leaders.
Niskanen made the chasers pursue him for a bit, but ultimately chose to sit up to conserve his energy. Seven leaders back together again with 20 kilometers still to race, but in the closing kilometers it was Norway—Nyenget, Jrueger, Ree, and Klaebo—who moved to the front. Everybody must’ve been tired, because everyone knew they needed to shed Klaebo, but no one moved to attack. When Klaebo went to the front just before the final downhill hairpin turn, the race was pretty much over. His fast skis gave him extra meters on the final slope, and he coasted across the finish line with room to spare. Behind him came Nyenget and Krueger who would finish his season with a well-earned Distance Crystal Globe.
“I think I will need some time this spring to process what really happened during this season” said Klaebo. “But it’s a perfect way to finish up here with a 50 k as well.”
Only a few weeks ago, questions continued to swirl regarding Klaebo’s struggles to win major international Distance races. After the World Championship 10 k, after the World Championship Skiathlon, after the World Championship 50 k, and after today’s marathon conclusion to the World Cup season, it seems like those questions can finally stop swirling.
“Celebrate,” said Klaebo in post-race interviews. “That’s gonna be my plan!”
World Cup 50 k RESULTS
John Teaford
John Teaford—the Managing Editor of FasterSkier — has been the coach of Olympians, World Champions, and World Record Holders in six sports: Nordic skiing, speedskating, road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, triathlon. In his long career as a writer/filmmaker, he spent many seasons as Director of Warren Miller’s annual feature film, and Producer of adventure documentary films for Discovery, ESPN, Disney, National Geographic, and NBC Sports.
