Gold rush! Norway’s Klaebo becomes first to win 6 Winter Olympic golds

In what might be remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in Winter Games history, Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo cemented his status as the undisputed king of Nordic skiing on Saturday by winning his sixth gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics . With a commanding victory in the men’s 50‑kilometer mass start classic, Klaebo became the first athlete ever to secure six golds at a single Winter Olympics , a landmark achievement unparalleled in Olympic winter sports history.

The 29‑year‑old Norwegian dominated the long and grueling race at the Tesero Cross‑Country Ski Stadium, leading a Norwegian podium sweep as teammates Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Emil Iversen clinched silver and bronze respectively. In a thrilling final ascent, Klaebo unleashed a blistering uphill surge to break away from Nyenget and charge to the finish in emphatic fashion.

Klaebo’s sixth gold at these Games extends his career Winter Olympic gold total to 11 , elevating him to second‑place on the all‑time Olympic gold list behind swimming legend Michael Phelps , who finished his career with 23. The previous Winter Games record was held by American speed skater Eric Heiden , who won five golds at Lake Placid in 1980.

“To be able to finish it up with six out of six, there couldn’t be a better way to do that,” Klaebo said after the race, adding that the support from Italy and the fans made the victory even more memorable.

While Klaebo’s historic feat dominated today’s headlines, other standout moments from Milano Cortina added to the excitement as the Games near their conclusion. American freeskier Alex Ferreira capped an impressive Olympic run by winning gold in the men’s halfpipe at Livigno Snow Park. Ferreira’s winning score of 93.75 on his final run completed a full Olympic medal set for the 31‑year‑old, adding gold to his previous silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022. This victory marked a major milestone for the U.S. freeski program.

As Milano Cortina 2026 moves into its penultimate day, the battle for overall supremacy on the medals table continues. Norway’s extraordinary performance, spearheaded by Klaebo’s remarkable sweep, has further extended the nation’s lead, making it a memorable Games for the Nordic powerhouse. Amid the competitive fervour, the figure skating community celebrated with a gala exhibition at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, showcasing artistry and sportsmanship as competitive skating draws to a close.

As the final medals are decided and the closing ceremony approaches, the 2026 Winter Olympics will be remembered for historic firsts, breathtaking performances, and athletes pushing the limits of endurance and skill, with Johannes Klaebo’s name firmly engraved at the pinnacle of the Games’ legacy .