Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo makes history with World Cup triumph for 20th win of cross-country season

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo made history on Sunday with the Norwegian recording a 20th win of the season in the men's 20km cross country mass start classic in Lahti. Having already sealed the crystal globe, Klaebo demonstrated his dominance of the event as he outsprinted compatriot Paal Golberg and Sweden's William Poromaa to take gold. Ad Klaebo's time of 44:13.0 saw him finish 5.4s ahead of Golberg who took silver, with Poromaa just behind to take bronze.

LahtiKalvaa storms to thrilling victory in cross-country skiing 20km in Lahti6 HOURS AGO Victory on Sunday, following on from a 19th win of the season on Saturday, means the Norwegian becomes just the second racer in history to record 20 World Cup victories in a single season. Only Klaebo's compatriot, Therese Johaug, had previously done that, becoming the first person to hit that milestone back in 2019. It was a fourth overall crystal globe for Klaebo, who has now achieved a total of 90 podium finishes at World Cup level in his storied career.

«It's the perfect way to finish off the season,» said Klaebo, who has also won the overall sprint title. «All the way I was hoping people would push a little bit harder so we could come faster to the finish line and start celebrating. »It feels amazing to equal the record of 20 wins — nothing I have ever dreamed of before the season started with injury and everything — so I'm just so satisfied and really proud.

«For sure, it's my best season ever.» Second for Golberg saw him take silver in the overall standings, while he also claims the distance title for the 2022/23 season. And Federico Pellegrino rounded off the overall podium, the Italian taking bronze. Meanwhile, Norway's Anne Kjersti Kalvaa edged out Sweden's Jonna Sundling