Klæbo makes gold medal history at Winter Olympics 2026 as Kingsbury takes men’s dual moguls title
In a moment of history at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Norwegian cross-country phenomenon Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has become the first Winter Olympian ever to claim nine career gold medals. The record was sealed as he anchored the Norwegian team to victory in the men’s 4×7.5km relay, a race where he powered away from the field to finish surrounded by celebrating teammates.
Klæbo’s ninth gold surpasses the benchmark of eight held by his compatriots Marit Bjørgen, Ole Einar Bjørndalen, and Bjørn Daehlie. Bjørgen remains the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time with 15 total medals, while Bjørndalen holds the men’s record with 14. With three events still to come for him at these Games, the 29-year-old has a clear path to extending his new record further.
A Relentless Ascent to History
Klæbo’s Olympic journey began with three golds at Pyeongchang 2018, followed by two more at Beijing 2022. His legendary uphill technique is so renowned that a section of an Olympic course has been nicknamed “Klæbo hill.” At these Games, he has already secured four gold medals. The historic relay victory itself was a masterclass, with Norway establishing a dominant lead that Klæbo extended to over 20 seconds before his triumphant finish.
In a significant change for these Games, the men’s Olympic relay distance was adjusted to 4×7.5km to ensure gender equality in race distances. Norway, a dominant force in the event, reclaimed the title; the 2022 champions, the Russian Olympic Committee, are barred from the 2026 Games. France, with Victor Lovera on the anchor leg, won silver—their first medal in this event—while Italy’s Federico Pellegrino took bronze ahead of Finland.
Close Contest in the Monobob
Meanwhile, on the bobsleigh track, the first two heats of the women’s monobob set up a tantalising finale. Germany’s Laura Nolte, the Beijing 2022 champion in this event, holds a slender lead with a combined time of 1:59.12. She is just 0.22 seconds ahead of the USA’s Elana Meyers Taylor, a five-time Olympian and the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history.
Hot on their heels is the reigning Olympic champion, Kaillie Humphries Armbruster of the United States, who moved into third place after the second heat and sits 0.31 seconds off the lead. The event, which debuted at the last Games to increase accessibility for female pilots, will see its medals decided by the third and fourth heats tomorrow. Switzerland’s Melanie Hasler and Kaysha Love of the US follow in fourth and fifth place respectively.
Kingsbury Claims Moguls Gold
In the freestyle skiing, Canada’s Mikaël Kingsbury secured the gold medal in the men’s dual moguls. This marks his first Olympic gold in this specific event, adding to the moguls gold he won previously. He defeated Japan’s Ikuma Horishima in the final, with Horishima taking silver.
The bronze medal was claimed by Australia’s Matt Graham, who prevailed in a tight small-final run-off against Japan’s Kaito Shimikawa. The event’s intensity provided a dramatic spectacle, cementing Kingsbury’s status as the favourite and ultimate champion.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Games, co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from 6 to 22 February, mark the fourth Olympics overall to be held in Italy. With events continuing across multiple venues, the focus now turns to whether Johannes Klæbo can further cement his new legacy and who will emerge from the remaining battles on ice and snow.
