Norway’s Klaebo ties Winter Olympic record with eighth gold medal

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo insists the 10-kilometre race is the distance he struggles with most because it forces him to race the clock instead of another competitor.

Funny, it didn’t look like it at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday.

The 29-year-old Norwegian star made his trademark late surge to win the interval-start race. His time of 20 minutes, 36.2 seconds gave him his eighth career gold medal, tying fellow countrymen Marit Bjoergen, Bjoern Daehlie and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen for the most ever at the Winter Olympics.

The all-time mark could soon be Klaebo’s alone. He’s scheduled to compete three more times at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.

On a warm day that left some skiers racing only in their bibs, Klaebo paced himself over the first half of the race before pouring it on late. The result was his third gold since arriving in Italy, and a small nod to the toll it’s taking. Klaebo fell into the snow shortly after crossing the finish line.

“It’s a special day,” Klaebo said. “This one means a lot for sure … I’m lost for words.”

Baff wins gold for Australia in snowboard cross

Snowboarder Josie Baff gave Australia its second gold medal of the Games when she stormed to victory in the women’s snowboard cross.

The 23-year-old Baff, who finished a distant 18th in Beijing four years ago, beat Eva Adamczykova of the Czech Republic and Italy’s Michela Moioli to the finish line. Baff, the 2020 World Junior Champion, is currently the second-ranked racer in the world.

Cooper Woods earned Australia’s first gold in Italy by triumphing in men’s moguls earlier this week.