In cross-country skiing, athletes navigate natural courses comprising continuous flat sections, uphills, and downhills. Klaebo distinguished himself in the most challenging part: the long uphill section at the end of the race.

Johannes Klaebo (number 1) crosses the finish line first to win gold in the individual sprint cross-country skiing event in Tesero, Trentino province, Italy, on the afternoon of 10/2. Photo: AP

As many rivals began to tire, their skiing rhythm slowed, and their pole strokes became heavier, the Norwegian athlete maintained a steady frequency, leaning forward, propelling himself powerfully and decisively with his poles. He accelerated on a slope often called a "fitness grinder" in cross-country races.

That moment quickly spread across social media and winter sports forums. Many comments dubbed it a "gravity-defying sprint" because accelerating uphill demands significantly more energy than skiing on flat terrain. Bayern Munich football club also used a video of Klaebo running uphill to reference their recent advancement to the German Cup semifinals.

According to Daily Mail, Klaebo timed his physical peak perfectly, concentrating his strength on the decisive section. This demonstrated his elite-level heart rate control and energy distribution. Consequently, he appeared superior to his competitors. The substantial lead allowed him to reduce his pace in the final strides. He completed the 1,585 km final course in 3 minutes 39,74 seconds, 0,87 seconds ahead of runner-up Ben Ogden.

Klaebo's dominant uphill sprint.

Cross-country skiing is often compared to a marathon on snow. Athletes must engage nearly their entire body, from legs and arms to core muscles, in sub-zero temperatures. Races can range from sprints over one kilometer to long stages spanning dozens of kilometers. Given this physical demand, accelerating on an uphill section tests physiological limits.

International observers praised Klaebo for transforming an endurance-heavy event into an emotional performance. Long-time followers believe he brings a modern image to cross-country skiing: high speed, intense rhythm, and boldness in choosing breakout moments.

Videos of his uphill climb were widely shared, attracting hundreds of thousands of views on social media platform X. Many fans analyzed Klaebo's V-style skiing technique, which allows him to achieve greater speed than classical techniques.

Klaebo, 29, has won 7 Winter Olympic gold medals, including two championships this year. He is aiming for the all-time record of 8 Olympic gold medals, held by his fellow Norwegian predecessors: Marit Bjorgen, Ole Einar Bjorndalen, and Bjorn Daehlie.

Klaebo celebrates his second gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo: AP

Norway is the most successful nation in Winter Olympic history, and skiing is their forte. An outdoor lifestyle is deeply ingrained in the culture, so children learn to ski from an early age. Thousands of clubs across the country create a widespread training foundation for a population of just over 5 million people. In this environment, talents like Klaebo are systematically nurtured, combining technique, sports science, and international competition experience.

Physiologically, cross-country skiing demands the highest VO2 max among Winter Olympic events. VO2 max indicates the body's maximum ability to absorb and utilize oxygen per minute, a crucial measure of endurance. Top athletes often maintain a heart rate at 85–95% of maximum for extended periods. This means the cardiovascular and respiratory systems must operate near their peak, while muscles still require enough strength to perform thousands of skiing and pole-pushing movements.

Uphill climbs in cross-country skiing intensify these demands. As the slope increases, the body must generate greater force to counteract gravity, oxygen consumption rises, and lactic acid accumulates faster. If athletes exceed their tolerance threshold, they experience muscle fatigue and lose the ability to accelerate. Klaebo's surge exemplifies his superior physical foundation and endurance.

Beyond physical conditioning, technique plays a decisive role. In the V-style technique, athletes alternate force between their two legs, combined with rhythmic pole pushing. The synchronization between the upper and lower body optimizes propulsion. The support team also significantly influences performance; selecting and treating ski wax can directly impact friction and speed.

Xuan Binh (via NBC, AP, Athletic)