Nine golds and counting: The ‘invincible’ Johannes Klaebo and his relentless chase for Winter Olympics history

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has made a multimillion-pound business by sharing the secrets to his success but the only real currency he deals in is gold – and lots of it.

The Norwegian megastar became the greatest Winter Olympian in history with a fourth victory in the Italian Dolomites and the ninth of his spectacular career.

It moves him one ahead of compatriots Bjørn Dæhlie, Marit Bjørgen and Ole Einar Bjørndalen and sets a new record in the 102-year history of these bonkers and yet brilliant Games.

His reaction? “That’s cool,” he said. How typically Nordic.

Klaebo admits he likes a party and there will be a big one come the end of this Olympics but there is more to do.

He still has two events to come and is the heavy favourite to walk away with six gold medals, just two short of what Michael Phelps achieved in Beijing in the summer Games of 2008.

Klaebo doesn’t share anywhere near the same profile of the swimming great but he is every bit the superstar. He dominates his sport to the extent that everyone else knows they are fighting for second even before they’ve pulled on their goggles.

“He [Klaebo] will take all six golds at the Olympics. I'm 99 per cent sure on that,” Team GB’s Andrew Musgrave said after Friday’s 10km time trial.

Klaebo collapsed to the snow in exhaustion after that race following a mend-bending sprint up the hill.

He rocked back and forth in the foetal position before finally dragging himself to a nearby podium to see France’s Mathis Deloges come second.

Here, it was a far more leisurely Sunday.

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Klaebo anchored Norway to the 7.5km relay title, going last after Emil Iversen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Einar Hedegart.

They won in one hour, four minutes and 24.5 seconds, 22 seconds ahead of France. Klaebo even slowed down to wave to the crowd as he crossed the line.

"I like the sound of the record, it's a pretty nice title," he continued.

“But it's special to do this together with this group. In Norway, winning the relay is what really matters - and today we all delivered.

"We've had so much fun both here and at training camps throughout the year. It's been a great season. Today, even though everyone was nervous, there was still a relaxed atmosphere."

With Klaebo in the team, you wonder what there was to be nervous about.

He has 15 World Championship golds, 107 World Cup wins and a trophy cabinet that presumably requires its own wing.

For many, this will be their first exposure to cross-country skiing and the 29-year-old but others, it’s just the latest chapter of a story he has been showing off to the world for nine years.

Klaebo has documented his life in 281 videos since 2017, and to say it has taken off would be as big an understatement as to suggest he is a solid skier.

He has moved from a world of casual content to one containing sponsors, merchandise and even employees.

His insane fitness methods have to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately for his rivals, the only way they know he’s in the race is when they clock him at the startline.

After that, he’s over the hill and out of sight.

“Before these Olympics, I’ve been a bit more relaxed. I’ve had a lot of fun during pre-camp. I feel like I’ve hit my right shape as well,” he said.

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"It was a little bit easier to prepare myself for these Olympics than the last Olympics, and the World Championships last year. Having fun on the way is also important and I think it shows in the results."

After earlier victories in the 1.5km sprint, 20km skiathlon and 10km time trial, Klaebo still has the sprint relay and mammoth 50km classic to come.

“This Games, he is invincible,” Musgrave said.

This Games, and pretty much every other.

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