Tour de Ski: Lars Heggen rebuked by experts and coach — fires back after breakthrough podium

Norway’s rising sprint talent Lars Heggen, 20, celebrated his first-ever World Cup podium in the Tour de Ski sprint opener in Toblach. Only all-time great Johannes Høsflot Klæbo beat him, with Oskar Opstad Vike in third, and the trio shared champagne after the finish.

The breakthrough was accompanied by on-air criticism from NRK commentators Jann Post and Fredrik Aukland over Heggen’s tactics in the quarterfinal. They felt he was too cautious when he slipped to the back of the pack and then eased up before the line after securing second place, nearly being pipped for third: “He could have taken four more pushes before letting up,” said Aukland. National team sprint coach Arild Monsen echoed the concern, saying he gave Heggen a “yellow card” because a six‑hundredth margin isn’t something you can claim full control over.

Heggen pushed back, calling his approach calculated and saying he would likely continue the same way. Klæbo smiled at the debate, noting it’s usually best to ski hard to the line, but acknowledged athletes often have a better feel for the situation than viewers. He also cautioned Heggen not to repeat Klæbo’s own famous mistake from Ruka 2018, when he looked the wrong way and lost to Aleksandr Bolshunov.

Despite the quibbles, praise dominated. Monsen labeled Heggen already a complete skier who can perform in both sprint and distance, and Klæbo suggested a generational shift is underway, with Heggen (20) and Vike (21) closing fast. Heggen, confident after his podium, said he’s aiming to beat Klæbo in the near future.