Oslo, Norway – The Holmenkollen Ski Festival saw a bizarre turn of events on Saturday as British cross-country skier Gabriel Gledhill completed the grueling 50-kilometer race although reportedly intoxicated. Gledhill, finishing 67th out of 75 competitors, openly admitted to consuming beer and schnapps throughout the competition, adding a decidedly unconventional chapter to the storied event.
The race, a World Cup fixture, was won by Norway’s Einar Hedegart, who secured a dominant victory in foggy conditions. However, Gledhill’s performance quickly became the talk of the event, not for athletic prowess, but for his unusual approach. According to reports, the 23-year-old began drinking on the third lap, accepting offers of alcohol from spectators lining the course.
“It was incredibly fun. I’m pretty drunk,” Gledhill told Scandinavian media, as reported by Flashscore.com. “I started drinking beer and schnapps already during the third lap. It was a crazy experience.” He estimated consuming over a dozen beers and several shots of schnapps during the race, even admitting to drinking mouthwash offered by a spectator. “I’m pretty drunk right now. It was quite tough to make it to the finish. But at Holmenkollen, it’s all about having fun,” he explained.
The unusual incident occurred during a race that also saw the absence of Norwegian star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, recovering from a concussion sustained earlier in the week. Hedegart’s victory, opened the door for other competitors, but Gledhill’s focus was clearly elsewhere. The conditions were fast, with air temperatures around 3.3 degrees Celsius and a salted course, as noted in reporting on the event from Nordic Insights. Skiers completed six laps of 8.3 kilometers each.
While Gledhill’s antics provided a memorable spectacle, they also stemmed from a deeper concern. He revealed to Norwegian broadcaster NRK that his participation in the race may have been his last, as his application for a Norwegian residency permit was recently denied. “If I have to leave Norway now, it would actually mean that I have to give up cross-country skiing and retire from the sport,” he said, explaining the motivation behind embracing the festive atmosphere and accepting the numerous offers of alcohol.
The Briton’s behavior wasn’t universally appreciated. A Norwegian consultant, speaking to media, criticized Gledhill’s attention-seeking behavior, stating, “Gledhill loves to show off on social media and on television. But there is a limit to what is fun. I think that limit has been reached.”
This wasn’t the only instance of unconventional behavior during the race. Fredrik Fodstad, a Norwegian-born skier competing for Colombia, was also seen accepting and consuming a beer offered by a spectator during the competition, adding to the unusual atmosphere at Holmenkollen.
The Holmenkollen 50-kilometer mass start skate race is a prestigious event on the World Cup calendar, known for its challenging course and enthusiastic fans. This year’s edition will undoubtedly be remembered not only for Einar Hedegart’s victory, but also for the unexpected and somewhat controversial actions of Gabriel Gledhill. The incident raises questions about athlete conduct and the balance between sportsmanship and enjoying the unique atmosphere of events like the Holmenkollen Ski Festival.
Gledhill finished over 20 minutes behind Hedegart, a significant margin in a race of this distance. The Norwegian skier’s win cemented his place as a prominent figure in cross-country skiing, having previously competed as a biathlete. Hedegart described the victory as “the best feeling you have ever had on the cross-country track,” according to Nordic Insights.
The women’s field started 45 minutes after the men, providing nearly uninterrupted action for spectators throughout the day. Four American skiers – Brian Bushey, Zak Ketterson, Kevin Bolger and Hunter Wonders – also participated in the event, marking Bushey’s European World Cup debut.
Looking ahead, the cross-country skiing World Cup continues with upcoming events in [future event location and date – not available in sources]. The focus will undoubtedly return to competitive racing, but the story of Gabriel Gledhill’s unconventional run at Holmenkollen is likely to linger in the memories of fans and athletes alike.
What are your thoughts on Gledhill’s actions? Share your opinions in the comments below.
