The Norwegian is hunting again! Can anyone even stop Johannes Klebo?

The Norwegian is hunting again! Can anyone even stop Johannes Klebo?

Batraz Tomaev November 24, 2023, 11:15 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.

At the start of the 2023/2024 World Cup, it seems that the best skier in the world has no competitors.

Johannes Klebo is amazing!

In recent years, the Norwegian skier has barely come down from the pedestal in winter. And in the summer he generates scandalous news about the contract with the Norwegian Ski Federation. But the parties reach a consensus and the Norwegian wins again. In a word, Klebo is a showman.

Who else can make so much noise?

However, the main issue is another. Will anyone be able to stop Klebo next season? I really doubt it. Because Johannes is a true machine who is not afraid of almost anyone or anything. Well, except Alexander Bolshunov. And he has already been in the exclusion zone for two years.

How many times did Klebo “quit” the sport?

After all the scandals, Klebo joined the Norwegian national team. What kind of circus are they putting on?

“There will be no shortage of opponents”

It is curious how Klebo himself reacts to the ski situation in the upcoming season. It will all be interesting, he says. Okay, yes. So we believed him.

“I’m sure there will be no shortage of opponents. Iivo Niskanen is willing to impose the fight. We saw this in Muonio last weekend when Niskanen won the 10km Classic. William Poroma is certainly competitive. He already showed last season that he wants to fight for the podium. Of course, Norwegian skiers are also determined to fight. We all intend to strive for success,” the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) quotes Klebo.

Johannes Klebo

Photo: Getty Images

But let’s move on from fine words to statistics.

He says Klebo has won the World Cup four times since 2018 (Alexander Bolshunov has won two more Globes). And last season he was on the podium 22 times, of which 19 were victories. In comparison, in the 2021/2022 season he only achieved 10 podiums and seven victories.

Even old sores don’t bother Klebo:

Johannes Klebo is complaining again about an old injury. Is this a phrase or another trick?

He also brought back an indecent amount of medals from the Slovenian Planica. At the 2023 World Cup, the indomitable Johannes won up to five awards, although only three of them were gold. He has no equal on the prestigious multi-day New Year’s Ski Tour.

So, did anyone compete with him?

Behind the Norwegian last season was only his compatriot Paul Golberg. The 33-year-old skier even took first place in the distance competition at the end of the season, beating his teammate with the most titles by 104 points. Yes, Klebo does not dominate here, but the situation does not seem that critical.

Motivated Klebo – Scary Klebo

Perhaps, as long as Klebo himself wants to win, it will be difficult to defeat him.

But the Norwegian fox has no motivation problems. Klebo is looking forward to the World Cup in Trondheim in 2025. And he is not far from the Olympic Games in Milan (2026). And Johannes will try very hard.

The absence of Russian skiers only makes things easier for him. Talking that it may lack competitors from Russia is nonsense. Strong teammates are also enough irritants to keep you on your toes. Furthermore, there is almost no psychological pressure.

So Klebo’s dominance will not end. For now.

And in a year or two, maybe some young competitors will grow up. Or maybe the evil Bolshunov will return. But this won’t happen anytime soon.

“The door is open”. Johannes Klebo is also expected in the biathlon:

Johannes Boe: Klebo has everything to become a good biathlete. Our door is open