Tesero, Italy — Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo cemented his legacy in Olympic history on Friday, earning his eighth gold medal and tying an all-time record at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The 29-year-old Norwegian cross-country skiing prodigy triumphed in the men’s 10-kilometer interval-start race, marking his third gold of the event.

As a result of his latest victory, Klaebo now finds himself alongside three legendary Norwegian athletes—Marit Bjoergen and Bjoern Daehlie in cross-country skiing, and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in the biathlon—who also achieved this monumental feat before retiring. With three races remaining in the competition, there is potential for Klaebo to widen this historic gap.

Embracing the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th, Klaebo expressed his affinity for the date, having proposed to his girlfriend on a previous June 13, also a Friday. “I think I like Friday the 13th,” he remarked, adding that it felt like a fortunate day for him.

For Klaebo, this win held special significance as he has historically struggled in individual time trials where head-to-head competition is absent. “This is the distance I’ve kind of struggled the most with, so being able to do that means a lot,” he said. He completed the race in a decisive 20 minutes and 36.2 seconds, overcoming visible fatigue as he collapsed over the finish line, a testament to the grueling nature of this event.

Klaebo finished 4.9 seconds ahead of France’s Mathis Desloges, who took home silver, while fellow Norwegian Einar Hedegart trailed by 14 seconds after losing momentum on the final incline of the course. “It’s a special day,” Klaebo reflected, feeling overwhelmed by the achievement.

The Norwegian showcased his strategic brilliance during the race, pacing himself through the initial stretches before unleashing a powerful sprint on the penultimate hill. “It was really hard out there today, so I’m very proud,” he shared.

On the other side, the French team celebrated Desloges’ unexpected silver medal as if they had won the race itself, merging in joyous unity on the snowy terrain. The 23-year-old remarked on the hard work he put into his training and the satisfaction of achieving his goals. “I told people I was at this level — and now we are delivering,” he stated.

Raced under a clear blue sky, temperatures hovered around 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit), with some athletes opting for minimal attire. The course, treated with salt the day before, proved advantageous for Klaebo, who began among the earlier-seeded skiers.

Norwegian fans, proudly donning national colors, erupted in celebration as Klaebo’s grandfather, Kare Hoesflot, watched from the sidelines, joined by messages of congratulations pouring in from Norway. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere extolled Klaebo’s performance on social media, praising him for his remarkable achievement.

Finn Dahl, a retired marketing manager from Norway, expressed admiration for Klaebo’s dedication to his sport. Wearing a custom suit decorated with flags, he credited Klaebo’s intense training regimen and unwavering focus as key components of his success. “He’s so dedicated. He sacrificed everything in terms of training, how he eats, how he sleeps and calms down after races,” Dahl noted.

As Klaebo continues on his Olympic journey, the possibility of becoming the most decorated Winter Games athlete looms closer than ever, leaving fans and analysts alike eager to see what he will accomplish next.