Klaeb’s duel with Bolshunov, for which Nor was disqualified
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The jury punished him for contact with Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov in the finish line, after which the Russian broke his wand and lost the fight for the title. After Klaeb’s disqualification, gold fell into the lap of his compatriot Emil Iversen, silver was taken by Bolshunov and bronze by another Norwegian Simen Hegstad Krüger.
“This is the hardest day of my career. I felt strong and I controlled the race well. You can look at what happened and get your own picture of it. I have to be honest, I have a lot of frustration and anger in me. This race was the main goal of the whole season for me. I never felt better prepared, “Klaebo responded after the race on his instagram account.
Johannes Hösflot Klaebo at the finish of the 50 km World Championship. He was disqualified shortly after his triumph
Matthias Schrader, ČTK / AP
“It simply came to my notice then. I have to be careful what I say now, but I am very disappointed. At the moment, everything is shrouded in darkness for me, but I will definitely be back. It will just take some time, “he added.
Tough fight and disqualification! Klaebo lost the title, Bolshunov cried. I’m going home…
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Out of reach of the public, but he was probably much sharper. “He said only one word. However, this cannot be published in the Norwegian media. Then he wanted to get out of here immediately, “the manager of the Norwegian ski team Espen Bjervig told NRK television.
Looking at the repeated recordings, Klaeb’s disqualification seems very severe, but Jury leader Pierre Mignerey said the verdict could not have been different.
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Johannes Hösflot Klaebo (right) comes to Alexander Bolshunov from Russia after reaching the 50 km race at the World Championships in Oberstdorf.
Matthias Schrader, ČTK / AP
“Alexander Bolshunov did nothing wrong in the situation according to the rules, but Klaebo did. Bolshunov was in the lead and had the right to choose the track he wanted for the finish. Klaebo tried to go around him from the outside, but there was not enough space to avoid contact with Bolshunov. And the rules are clear: The overtaking competitor is responsible for the passage without contact. So Klaebo. That is why he was disqualified, “Mignerey explained to the Swedish newspaper Expressen.
He also admitted that with this case he experienced one of the longest jury sessions in his career.
“Yes, it was a very long meeting. At first, the problem was getting the right pictures. At first we had slow motion shots, but they started a little late. We wanted better shots to make the right decision. This was accompanied by a protest from Russia and subsequently from Norway, “Mignerey added.
Klaebo can still demand a further review of the situation at a higher instance of the FIS within 48 hours after the race, if the Norwegian side lodges a written protest.
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