Norway dominant in the relay — Klæbo's incredible feat

OSLO / VAL DI FIEMME (HBO Max):

There was some build-up to the men's Olympic relay in Val di Fiemme on Sunday… or was there really?

The Norwegian team — Emil Iversen, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Einar Hedegart and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo — were clear favourites for gold.

And they delivered in style.

When Hedegart handed over to Klæbo he gave him a 12.2-second lead over France. Klæbo never let that lead be threatened and the Norwegian star skied the team home to relay gold.

"It’s magical to do this with this crew and in a relay. It’s always something special. I enjoyed it and got a perfect position — it means a lot for the whole team and the support staff who work day and night," Klæbo told HBO Max.

Emil Iversen, who skied the first leg in this championship, was relieved after his opening stint. After Klæbo crossed the line to gold, Iversen was visibly emotional in the finish area.

"It’s going better now. I got my release. It’s a big day for me. I thanked Johannes — it’s a bit incredible that he has got me this far, and that I can help him win his ninth gold," Iversen said with a sly smile to HBO Max.

"It’s huge. You go out there under a lot of pressure and it feels extra good to deliver. It’s a team victory — we must be satisfied," Nyenget told HBO Max.

"No, I didn’t [feel the pressure]. Today I managed to enjoy it a bit as well, with these teammates. A big day for me," Hedegart said.

Iversen broke down in tears after his first Olympic gold.

"This is raw, it’s huge. It was nerve‑wracking to debut on the relay at this championship. It’s a dream. I’m so proud of what I’ve done — I managed the impossible by making the Norwegian relay team at the Olympics. I’m so happy and relieved," Iversen said to HBO Max after his leg.

Klæbo has now taken gold at every distance so far at these Games and he stands at a total of nine Olympic gold medals in his career — passing Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Bjørn Dæhlie and Marit Bjørgen who each have eight.

"The way he’s done it… I don’t think it cost him much energy today. Norway had full control from start to finish," HBO Max expert Devon Kershaw said.

France took silver and Italy claimed bronze. For Iversen, Hedegart and Løwstrøm Nyenget it is their first Olympic gold medals.

Iversen skied a strong opening leg in Val di Fiemme, arriving at the first change together with the USA, Italy and Canada. Then Løwstrøm Nyenget put the field in its place.

On the last lap of the second leg Nyenget attacked up a climb and opened a gap on the competitors.

"Look at this. This is phenomenal," HBO Max commentator Jan Christian Bjørn said as Nyenget surged away.

"This will probably decide the relay," HBO Max expert Åge Skinstad said.

"This is a clinical display over 7.5 km by Nyenget. An absolutely fantastic leg by Martin," HBO Max expert Martin Johnsrud Sundby added, as Nyenget handed over to Hedegart 10.2 seconds ahead of the nearest rival.

When Hedegart maintained the lead on his leg, there was never any doubt about the outcome once Klæbo took the final leg.

Norway were supreme on the relay — and Klæbo produced a memorable performance.

(Related: France silver, Italy bronze; full results available via HBO Max and Eurosport.)