Emil Iversen back in the hunt for a Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic spot as Johannes Høsflot Klæbo wins in Granåsen

Emil Iversen (34) delivered a major response after being omitted from Norway’s squad for the Ruka World Cup opener. On Saturday in Trondheim’s Granåsen, he sprinted to third place in the men’s 20 km mass start with ski change (skiathlon) at the World Cup — the only race of this format on the calendar before the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The race played out with pre-race favorite Johannes Høsflot Klæbo controlling the finale. Over the last two kilometers, no one could match the Norwegian star’s finish, and he secured his 101st World Cup victory. Harald Østberg Amundsen finished second, while Iversen’s third place drew the biggest reaction given his recent struggles.

Iversen had been vocal after being left off the Ruka opener. He earned his way back by winning two Scandinavian Cup races in Gålå the previous weekend, which earned him a World Cup start in Granåsen. With Olympic selection looming, he produced under pressure, taking his first individual World Cup podium since January 2021.

“I’m very proud and happy. I’ve known I’ve been in good shape for a while, but things had to click. I gave myself the opportunity and took it,” Iversen told NRK, fighting back tears at the finish. NRK commentator Jann Post noted that Iversen is “back on the podium and back in the Olympic discussion,” following the steps toward an Olympic berth.

The Granåsen weekend continues with the women’s mass start later on Saturday and a men’s 10 km freestyle on Sunday — another event on the Olympic program in Italy.