– Have you settled in well? – Yes. World champion Klæbo grinned when he saw WC silver winner Pål Golberg lying sprawled on the floor at the press center in Planica. A few seconds later he took the same position as his teammate. – It’s fine to wait for it here. In any case, it takes the focus away from tomorrow, says Golberg to news. – He’s not nervous about it yet, Klæbo chimes in from the side. – No, I’m not. While they plowed through the congratulations and showed each other some pictures, the successful Swedish sprinters talked rather casually about the WC’s opening practice. The press conference had the impression of being a formality that no one really cared about. Marathon program Almost two hours had passed since they crossed the finish line at the stadium a few hundred meters up the slope. The wait began to eat away at patience, even though they claimed it was going just fine. The day was far from over. Hours remained before they could jump into the shower at the hotel in Italy. AT 17:59: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo spots a relaxed Pål Golberg. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news While Simen Hegstad Krüger and Sjur Røthe were able to charge up to Friday’s 30 kilometers without major disturbances, the program looked completely different for the medal winners. From the end of practice to arrival at the hotel, it took almost 3.5 hours for the world champion. 16.12: Klæbo crosses the finish line as winner of the World Cup sprint 17.46: Interviews with TV, radio and written press are finished 18.14: Klæbo and Golberg leave the international press conference 18.37: The doping control is over and a little banter with the oilers remains 18.56: The car is packed with a couple skiing and Klæbo leave the World Cup stadium 19.30: Media manager Gro Eide reports that they are arriving at the hotel in Italy Johaug warns: – It is eating away at Just this hectic program believes Johaug could be Klæbo’s biggest challenge in the World Cup. It is a stress factor. Trønder aims to go six out of six distances. – It costs energy and especially when you have to do this for several days on the rap. It goes very well at the start, because you go into the championship with fully charged batteries and profit. For every day and for every exercise, the energy is drained. It eats away both physically and mentally. You have to reset yourself and mobilize your strength day by day, explains Johaug. CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERT: Therese Johaug. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news On Friday morning, a new distance awaits, 30 kilometers of classic and skating under heavy conditions. Klæbo nevertheless took plenty of time to answer questions. Everything that has to happen between the end of the competition and the departure, he took seriously. – If you have decided that it will cost a lot, then it will cost more. I think I’m relatively good and that it goes a bit like that on autopilot, says Klæbo to news – and continues: – If I had been number 14, I think it would have cost more to go through here and take a lot of time. Now you are still in such a state, call it a euphoria, and very happy. Klæbo: – It’s part of the game On the way through the press zone, he got a little boost of energy. Suddenly, Klæbo bet over the fence that separates the TV companies from the performers. Papa Haakon stood in the stands with a tear in each corner of his eye. He brought his mother’s home-baked energy bars, which he lowered into his son in a plastic bag. Now the warehouses must be filled. REFILL: Media manager Gro Eide holds the bag of energy bars, which were made by mum Elisabeth Høsflot Klæbo. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news – I am of course looking forward to coming to the hotel. I’m going to spend an hour or two enjoying this here now, then I’ll have to turn around until tomorrow, then. It’s part of the game. I would like to have more time to enjoy the feeling that I have now, but there is simply no time for that. When he hears the threat Therese Johaug points to, he agrees: – Absolutely. It’s part of the game. It’s the total load of everything, so we just have to be smart and use as little energy as possible on it, says Klæbo. LAST WORDS WITH THE BUTTER MANAGER: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Stein Olav Snesrud exchange a few last words before departure. It’s getting close to 7pm. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news Johaug recognizes himself in all the commotion that comes with success. She calls it the flip side of the coin. As an athlete, you would prefer to recharge, gather energy and regain your strength. – You get so tired of your own voice because you have no idea what you’re saying. Your head has been so screwed up since the start of the day that you are unable to enjoy it. It will be five minutes here and five minutes there. It will be quite a lot in the end. Klæbo’s WC program This is Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s race in the WC: February 23: Sprint, classic – GOLD February 24: 30 kilometer joint start with ski change February 26: Sprint relay, freestyle March 1: 15 kilometers, freestyle March 3: Relay on 5 March: 50 kilometres, classic She is quite sure that it is all the non-sporting things that are the biggest threat to Klæbo show for the rest of the championship. PS! At 18:59, three minutes after Klæbo left the stadium, Pål Golberg came walking from the doping control. He managed to say “time flies” before he was transported home.
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– It eats away both physically and mentally – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
