Norwegian Sweep in Sprint at Oberhof Without Johannes Klaebo

At the classic sprint event in Oberhof, Germany, this past Friday, Erik Valnes claimed victory as part of a remarkable quadruple finish for Norwegian competitors. Johannes Klaebo, a two-time Olympic champion and a dominant figure in the sport, did not make it to the finals, marking a rare setback in his career. Valnes finished ahead of Ansgar Evensen by 0.40 seconds, with Even Northug and Harald Amundsen following in third and fourth place, respectively.

This race highlighted strong performances from the Norwegian team, particularly as Klaebo was looking to rebound from his absence in the Tour de Ski. His elimination came as a surprise, especially given his pedigree in sprint events. Meanwhile, the absence of any French competitors in the final further underscored the dominance of the Norwegians at this event. Richard Jouve, another notable contender, was also unable to compete in the finals, reflecting a challenging day for the French team.

For detailed results of the sprint and overall standings in the World Cup, you can refer to the event's official rankings.