Norwegian comet makes strong Olympic case – Klæbo reaches 100 World Cup wins

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo powered to victory in Friday’s classic sprint in Granåsen, edging compatriot Oskar Opstad Vike on the finish straight, with Sweden’s long‑distance specialist Alvar Myhlback taking third. The result marks Klæbo’s 100th World Cup win, a milestone no other man has reached in cross‑country skiing.

Five Norwegians lined up in the final: Klæbo, Oskar Opstad Vike, Lars Heggen, Erik Valnes and Ansgar Evensen, alongside Sweden’s Myhlback. Heggen, making his World Cup debut, placed fourth, Valnes fifth and Evensen sixth. The podium gave 21‑year‑old Opstad Vike his second career World Cup top‑three after Falun in February, strengthening his case for Olympic selection. NRK expert Fredrik Aukland highlighted how the youngster pushed Klæbo and called the result pivotal for Norway’s Olympic sprint picks for Milan–Cortina 2026.

The Granåsen sprint is especially important because the men’s classic sprint is on the Olympic program in February. Strong results here improve athletes’ chances to claim one of four Norwegian men’s spots in the Olympic sprint. The weekend continues with a 20 km skiathlon on Saturday and a 10 km freestyle on Sunday—both also Olympic events.

Even Northug’s Olympic hopes took a hit after he fell during his quarterfinal and failed to advance. He walked past the media without comment after the heat; earlier this season he had stated his goal was to win an Olympic medal in Milan and that simply making the team was the first hurdle.

Opstad Vike admitted to heavy nerves before the race, saying the last week had been «terrible» leading up to the start, making his performance all the more meaningful.