Simen Hegstad Krueger wins skiathlon World Championships after tactical masterstroke foils Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo

Simen Hegstad Krueger claimed World Championships gold in the 30km skiathlon as a quick change of skis helped him conquer favourite Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo.

Krueger, 29, topped an all-Norwegian podium in Planica, with Klaebo settling for silver, 12.2 seconds off the pace, and bronze-medallist Sjur Roethe a further 1.9 seconds further back.

Krueger and Roethe stunned the rest of the field at the halfway stage with a rapid ski exchange which established a buffer between them and the chasing pack.

Superstar sprinter Klaebo fought valiantly to reclaim a place on the podium but it was not enough to displace Krueger.

Krueger, who won Olympic Gold in 2018, joins Alexander Bolshunov and Dario Cologna in an exclusive group of three male skiers who have won the skiathlon at the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

“It’s unbelievable to be a world champion. That’s a dream come true,” said Krueger.

“I have dreamed of this, I have been missing this gold. I needed a few seconds to let it sink in.

“I knew I had a good opportunity today, in tough conditions and on a tough course.

“I saw that we got a gap, then it was just a matter of going, not looking back and hoping that it lasted all the way.”

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