Together with Sjur Røthe, Simen Hegstad Krüger took the rest of the world’s elite completely to bed with a tactical maneuver of a high class. Even Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was powerless against his teammates’ jerks after changing skis, halfway through Friday’s 30 kilometers with a change of skis. Eventually, Krüger also said thank you and goodbye to Røthe, and after a proper show of force, he entered the ski stadium in Planica in solitary majesty. His first individual WC gold in his career, at the same distance that he won Olympic gold at in South Korea 2018. – It means a fantastic amount to Simen. There are some who have thought that he should not have been at the start here. There is no better way to fight back, says national team manager Eirik Myhr Nossum to news. Klæbo took the silver ahead of Røthe. Pål Golberg ensured a quadruple Norwegian. – It is absolutely “outstanding”. It’s a fantastic team effort today. We contribute to entertainment today, says Nossum. Finnish pace changer Iivo Niskanen gradually picked up the pace on the classic section. This is where the Finn has his big advantage, and his biggest opportunity for a medal was to wear out the others as much as possible before changing skis. DUO: Krüger is followed by Røthe. The duo surprised everyone by changing skis. Photo: Darko Bandic / AP Several had to let go and a tight group formed. – It is a completely expected development. What he achieves with the ride is that he drives a number of freestyle specialists a little stiff. But I don’t think he drives the Norwegians stiff, commented news’s Torgeir Bjørn. And was right about that. For Klæbo, Sjur Røthe, Simen Hegstad Krüger and Pål Golberg, they all hung in there to change skis. There came the first tactical maneuver of the day from the Norwegians. Shocked Klæbo with jerk Klæbo received attention to loosen the bindings a little towards the ski change to make it as efficient as possible, but there were two other Norwegians who were even more screwed. Krüger and Røthe exchanged lightning fast and drove out of the stadium at full speed. The maneuver took the rest of the field completely to bed, which had suddenly had a hatch to close. – I can’t figure out anything other than that they have talked beforehand. If they have thought about it for a long time, they are mentally prepared and the others become unsure of how to respond, said Bjørn. Klæbo eventually realized the seriousness and got on the back of his teammates after some proper stomach movements and some elegantly solved downhills. According to Nossum, it was not a planned move by Røthe and Krüger. – It’s something the athletes have to feel themselves along the way. People must utilize their strengths. I guess they felt that the classic went reasonably well, then they have to challenge the competitors, he told news. Krüger moved away Klæbo eventually realized that the acquisition of Røthe and Krüger had come at a cost. The favorite looked more and more tired, and on an uphill a gap started to form again. – It is rare that I see Klæbo so stiff. Now this string is starting to break, but we are not writing Klæbo off just yet, said Bjørn. Photo: Darko Bandic / AP In the end, it all worked out, at least in terms of the gold. Because while Krüger moved from Røthe, he was eventually joined by Klæbo again, who sprinted in for silver. But no one could take the gold from Krüger. – It’s a tactical victory! said Bjorn. Without reigning champion Aleksandr Bolsjunov won gold at this distance in the previous WC, ahead of Simen Hegstad Krüger and Hans Christer Holund. In Planica, on the other hand, the Russian was not invited to the starting line and had no opportunity to defend the gold. As you know, Russia is banned from participating in competitions organized by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The background for that is Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine. Recently, a debate has flared up about whether the sport should once again be allowed to compete in Russia. In Norway, there has been a storm around Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, head of the Norwegian athletes committee of the IOC, after her statements. Read more about that case here:
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Krüger sank Klæbo with a stroke of tactical genius
