Eit’s in their nature. “As a Norwegian, you try to be as fast as possible and win as many medals as possible,” says Johannes Hosflot Kläbo. The cross-country skier is Norwegian – and greedy as ever. But he is not the only one who sets the pace at the Nordic World Ski Championships together with his teammates. “Our waxers also work day and night for this,” says the 26-year-old cross-country skier from Trondheim.
Norway, cradle of Nordic skiing, home of the men and women who are particularly strong on the cross-country ski run. The Scandinavians are the measure of all things. They’re the ones to beat. The Norwegian national anthem is also a long-running favorite at the current World Championships in the Slovenian valley of the hills. “We are very proud to wear the Norwegian flag on our jackets,” says Kläbo, who has won two golds and one silver so far and is in the top eight in the overall World Cup together with five other compatriots – Kläbo of course at the top.
The Norwegian way
Two years ago, when the best cross-country skiers, combined athletes and ski jumpers were looking for their champions in Oberstdorf, the Norwegians again increased their previous record of 25 medals in Seefeld 2019 with a total of 31 medals. In 13 of 24 World Cup decisions, the title holder came from Norway. Even now, after 14 of 24 decisions at the meeting of the world elite in Planica, the Scandinavians are leading the ranking with six first places. Not a surprise for Alexander Stöckl, but part of the Norwegian system. The Austrian, head coach of the Norwegian ski jumpers since 2011, sees serious differences between the Scandinavians and the rest of the world.
Hierarchies in Norway? Doesn’t exist according to the German reading. “Everything is flat here. Everyone tries to contribute and help. It’s a cultural thing,” says Stöckl, who lives in Oslo. “In the Japanese team, for example, the youngest is responsible for bringing coffee or fetching snacks. That’s not the case with us. Everyone has the same value. There’s no master’s or doctor’s degree. Everyone is addressed as first person – and that is reflected in the team.” Stöckl says: “We have our basic values of respect, modesty and joy.”
Powerful forwards: Johannes Kläbo
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Image: Imago
There are many reasons for the Norwegians’ success. Stefan Horngacher, the national coach of the German ski jumpers, says “that it is striking that Norway is at the top in all disciplines. I think they use the possibilities extremely effectively. They are also more effective in training, are more committed and implement many things more quickly.” Horngacher is convinced: “You make it extremely uncomplicated.”
