The 27-year-old Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has been in great shape all winter. He won the last five World Cup races, including the 50km race in Holmenkollen. His fire to compete is still there, and on April 20, he makes his long-distance debut in the 43-kilometer Kobberløpet in Norway.

Klæbo takes the task seriously and fears that he will struggle against the long-distance skiing elite.

“I have sent a message to Fischer and asked them to provide me with double-pole skis. I’m looking forward to doing the 43 kilometers. With the likes of Petter (Northug), Even (Northug), Didrik (Tønseth), Emil (Iversen), Finn-Hågen (Krogh), and long-distance expert Andreas Nygaard on the starting line, it will be a tough fight for victory,” Klæbo says in a press release.

Johannes explains that even though the traditional cross-country skiing season is over, things will get serious when this group of skiers aligns at the start.

“That’s just the way it is. I predict an entertaining ski race for the public,” Klæbo says.

“I have heard much about the race from Petter Northug and Niklas Dyrhaug. Niklas has done the race for several years. Both they and other skiers talk about the course, the nature, the slopes, and the people up there,” Klæbo says in the press release.

However, this is not the first time he has tried the slopes in the area.

“I’ve only been to Sulis once before, at a national team camp in 2019. I’m looking forward to going to Kobberløpet and being part of all the great things that happen up there,” says Klæbo.

For him, the duel with Petter Northug means a lot.

“I remember how fantastic it was to follow my skiing heroes as a child. It was, of course, Petter who was the great role model. I was glued to the TV and followed him in all the championships from 2007 to 2013. I even told my mother that my stomach hurt when the races were held on weekdays during the day, so I could stay home from school and watch Petter on TV,” says Klæbo and continues:

“I remember how amazing it was to finally meet him for the first time at a summer ski school, even if it only lasted a moment. Today, passing on that inspiration to children and young people is one of the most important things I do. They are the future of cross-country skiing. Among them, you will find the next inspiration.”

Last year’s race was won by Johanna Hagström and Andreas Nygaard

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