Even though ski king Klæbo has largely dominated his competitors in both the skiathlon and sprint so far at the Olympics, he faces a real challenge.
24-year-old Einar Hedegart has only raced in six World Cup events in his career - with results of 8-2-2-1-1-1. All those results have come in freestyle and especially in the 10-kilometer race that awaits in Val di Fiemme on Friday.
The Swedish competitors are aware that the others are mostly competing for the bronze.
Yes, as has been the case with Klæbo, he has been absolutely incredible in the distance events so far, and we know what Hedegart has been good at during the season. So you have to go fast if you want to be at the top, says William Poromaa.
“Exciting duel”
Hedegart originally focused on biathlon, but switched disciplines when top results failed to materialize. This year, he beat Klæbo by over 20 seconds in the two 10-kilometer races they ran against each other - an eternity at that distance.
On the other hand, Klæbo has looked almost supernatural during the Olympics.
That will be an exciting duel to follow. It's hard to see anyone going faster than Klæbo. But if there ever is, maybe it's now, says Swedish men's coach Lars Ljung.
Olympic record?
Klæbo is looking forward to an eighth Olympic gold medal in his career. If he does, he will be on par with the best in Winter Olympic history. Unsurprisingly, all of them come from Norway: cross-country skiers Bjørn Dæhlie and Marit Bjørgen, and biathlete Ole Einar Bjørndalen.
For Sweden, hopes are more modest, although Truls Gisselman's Olympic debut, a seventh-place finish in the skiathlon last Sunday, raises some hope.
I hope and believe that Truls will be up there again, that Wille (Poromaa) can be a little better (12th in the skiathlon), and that Gustaf (Berglund, 39th) and Edvin (Anger, 37th) will take a big leap up the results list, says Ljung.
Here are the Winter Olympians who have won the most over the years:
1. Marit Bjørgen, Norway, cross-country skiing, 8 gold-4 silver-3 bronze
2. Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway, biathlon, 8-4-2
3. Bjørn Dæhlie, Norway, cross-country skiing, 8-4-0
4. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Norway, cross-country skiing, 7-1-1
5. Ireen Wüst, Netherlands, speed skating, 6-5-2
Footnote: The best Swede is Sixten Jernberg, cross-country skiing, in eleventh place with 4-3-2.
