Einar Hedegart (center) led the Norwegian sweep of the podium ahead of Harald Amundsen (left) and Martin Nyenget. © APA/afp / TERJE PEDERSEN

Even without Klaebo: Norwegian dominance at Holmenkollen

Norwegian Einar Hedegart won the 50km mass start freestyle race on Saturday at the traditional Holmenkollen in Oslo.

March 14, 2026

From: apa/am

Former biathlete Hedegart won in the absence of the injured season-dominating Johannes Klaebo, finishing in 1:51:38.2, ahead of Harald Östberg Amundsen (+0,4 seconds) and Martin Löwström Nyenget (+1,1). Places four through eight also went to Norway. Marino Carollo was the best Italian, finishing in 14th place.

Hedegart was overjoyed after his victory. "This feels better than at the Olympics, and that says it all. When Johannes unfortunately got injured, it was an opportunity for the rest of us, and I seized it with both hands. I couldn't be happier."

Frida Karlsson was unbeatable. © ANSA / Terje Pedersen

In the women's race, Sweden's Frida Karlsson broke away from the field after the ski change at 33,3 km and cruised to a comfortable victory in 2:07:48.2 hours. Her compatriots Linn Svahn (+1:48,4 min.) and Jonna Sundling completed the Swedish sweep of the podium.

The two races were held overlapping for the first time, meaning the women started 45 minutes after the men. As a result, even those who were far behind in the men's race sometimes found themselves skied in the slipstream of the women.

There were no South Tyroleans at the start in Holmenkollen.