Norway’s Depth Rules Holmenkollen 10 k Freestyle

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Holmenkollen has traditionally been the site of the season’s most significant 50 k race, and many in Norway are fairly grumpy to have it removed from the schedule. For the racers in today’s substitute 10 k Freeestyle, though, many may be quietly grateful to race a shorter distance, even though the strains of racing ten kilometers is potentially even more painful, and nearly as stressful, as the marathon event it replaces.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) is entered, though his performance in yesterday’s 20 k Classic suggests that his finest form may lie behind him on the trails and podiums of Trondheim. Even so, Klaebo remains a threat in any technique over any distance. His performance would be worth watching as he enters the final portion of the World Cup season with his eye on defending his lead in the overall standings.

Klaebo’s Norwegian teammates always arrive eager to snatch podium places; today, the top of the podium may be available as well. Simen Hegstad Krueger, Jan Thomas Jenssen, Andreas Fjorden Ree, Iver Tildheim Andersen, Harald Oestberg Amundsen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Paal Golberg, Jan Thomas Jenssen, Mattis Stenshagen, and Einar Hedegart all appeared eager for headlines of their own, especially in front of this most famous and knowledgable Norwegian crowd.

And who the heck is Einar Hedegart? Well he’s the guy who almost stole the whole day. Amundsen only narrowly managed to secure the win ahead of his little-known young teammate, with the third step on the podium being filled by the redoubtable Klaebo.

The American men have appeared a bit flat of late, with the exception of Gus Schumacher who continues to race strongly, delivering a 24th place finish today in Holmenkollen. He was followed by other Americans, including Kevin Bolger 29th, and Ben Ogden 33rd, and JC Schoonmaker 59th. Canadian men continue to ski strongly with Olivier Leveille 21st, Remi Drolet 41st, Thomas Stephen 50th, and Xavier McKeever 63rd.

10 k Freestyle

Hugo Lapalus (FRA) represents the style and determination with which the French team often races; he set a fast pace from the very first kilometers, supplanting Hedegart at the earliest checkpoints. But it was the Norwegian journeymen who delivered the most surprising results, dominating all later race splits until the arrival of eventual winner, Amundsen.

Klaebo came through the first checkpoint six seconds behind Hedegart, perhaps indicative of healthy and intelligent pacing on the part of the World Champion. Of course, it may also have been an indication that Klaebo’s speed was not coming nearly as easy as he’s come to expect.

Klaebo moved into podium contention at 7.4 kilometers, only 5.9 seconds out of the lead. But his tempos and energy did not appear to be as light as in the past, and the fatigue of Trondheim appeared likely to prevent him from challenging today’s leaders. He lost a bit more time in the final climbs of the Holmenkollen lap, but still managed to overtake Iver Tildheim Andersen and Andreas Fjorden Ree (tied for fourth).

Hedegart never faltered, but Amundsen proved just slightly faster in the closing kilometer.

“It was very hard,” said Amundsen of his victory. “(Hedegart) set a fast time early on, and I was struggling to keep up with the pace. But I had a really good finish. I’m really happy with my tenth World Cup victory.”

“He’s very strong,” said Amundsen of his podium mate, Hedegart. “Probably the best biathlon athlete I’ve ever competed against.”

So that’s who Einar Hedegart is, and that’s where he came from. We’ll need to add another name to the seemingly-endless list of Norwegians who, on any given day, can rise up to challenge even the best in the world.

Men’s 10 k Freestyle Interval Start RESULTS