Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has rewritten the history books once again. The 29-year-old Norwegian skier secured his tenth career Olympic gold medal on Thursday. He won his fifth event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Val di Fiemme. Consequently, Klæbo extends his lead as the most successful athlete in the history of the Winter Olympics, leaving former record-holders far behind.
Dominance in cross-country skiing and the quest for eleven
Klæbo’s performance in Italy mirrors his unprecedented sweep at the 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships (Ski-VM) in Trondheim. There, he won all six available gold medals across various distances and techniques. He has already claimed five titles at the current Olympics. After securing his historic relay victory, the athlete expressed his relief to NRK. “Now I can enjoy it. It was a really nice victory, and it is great to be able to do the same with the boys in the relay,” Klæbo stated. This achievement demonstrates an unparalleled level of consistency in cross-country skiing.
The Norwegian skier will have the opportunity to secure an eleventh career Olympic gold on Saturday. He will compete in the men’s 50km mass start. This classic technique race represents the final major challenge of his Italian campaign. Many experts consider it the winter equivalent of the marathon.
Technical innovation and the Klæbo-kliv technique
Analysts attribute the Norwegian’s dominance to a rare combination of aerobic capacity and technical innovation. Klæbo has revolutionised the sport through a technique widely known as the Klæbo-kliv (Klæbo-run).
This method involves a high-frequency running motion on steep inclines while wearing skis. It allows him to maintain speeds of nearly 20 kilometres per hour on double-digit gradients. Competitors have attempted to replicate this intense cadence. However, none have matched his efficiency and acceleration during decisive race moments. His economic movements give the impression of effortless racing against the world’s elite.
Extreme sacrifices and mental balance
A regime of extreme dedication lies behind this tactical mastery. His 83-year-old grandfather, Kåre Høsflot, has coached him since childhood. The skier has often embraced an ascetic lifestyle to reach his peak. Prior to the 2025 World Championships, Klæbo spent several months training in complete isolation in Utah, USA. This location kept him far from the Norwegian media spotlight and free from daily distractions.
Nevertheless, the athlete recently admitted that such severe isolation took a toll on his mental well-being. He requested that his teammate Emil Iversen join his inner training circle to foster a healthier environment at Milano-Cortina 2026. “I brought this clown onto the team so we could have fun, and mentally this year has been much better compared to previous ones,” Klæbo joked during a recent press conference.
He further explained his shift in perspective regarding professional pressure. “I think I can become a better skier by having more fun, instead of living the situation in a brutal way like before the World Cup,” he added. Klæbo credited this change with improving his mental state. This allowed him to approach the current Olympic races with a more relaxed and sustainable mindset.
A modern athlete beyond the ski tracks
Klæbo remains a highly visible public figure despite his intense focus on performance. His races regularly attract a television audience share exceeding 90 percent in Norway.
He has built a strong independent media presence, unlike athletes of previous generations. He connects directly with fans through a successful YouTube channel. This platform documented his training routines to over 125,000 subscribers before a recent hiatus. Furthermore, his brother, Ola Høsflot Klæbo, directed a late-2025 documentary chronicling his personal and professional journey. This film showcases the multi-faceted life of an athlete who has permanently redefined his sport.
[Editor’s note: This article was originally published following Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s ninth Olympic gold medal. It has been updated to reflect his tenth victory at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.]
