TESERO, Italy (AP) — Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo’s victory Sunday places him in an elite group of Olympians who remain dominant figures in their sport.
The Norwegian has won all four cross-country skiing races so far at the Milan Cortina Games. His latest triumph in the men’s relay gave him a Winter Olympics record of nine gold medals.
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Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, waves from the podium, with teammates Einar Hedegart, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Emil Iversen, after winning the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, gives his Tina mascot tooth to fans on the stands after winning the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, waves from the podium, with teammates Einar Hedegart, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Emil Iversen, after winning the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, approaches the finish line to win the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, skis uphill during the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
That result also pushed him into the top tier of Olympic athletes — summer and winter — tying him with greats such as American track-and-field athlete Carl Lewis and swimmer Mark Spitz.
The 29-year-old Norwegian, with two races remaining at these Games, could soon move beyond that group and inch closer to the greatest of them all: American swimmer Michael Phelps, who has won 23 Olympic gold medals.
Competing in his third Olympics, Klaebo has evolved from a standout sprinter into a dominant all-around skier. Races are often sealed with a “Klaebo run,” his feared burst uphill that leaves competitors out of contention.
How good has he become? Just ask his teammates.
Norway’s Martin Loewstroem Nyenget skied the second leg of Sunday’s relay as the favorites began to look unstoppable.
“We went out carrying a lot of expectations, so it feels really good to deliver,” he said. “And for me, this is my first one, so it’s really special. For Johannes, this is almost a hobby by now. But for me, it’s something truly big.”
With Klaebo in the race, the loudest celebrations often come from those feeling fortunate just to share the podium with him.
France was ecstatic with second place Sunday.
“Others were behind me and I had really tired legs. But we got the silver medal and it’s crazy,” French anchor Victor Lovera said, adding with a laugh: “I tried my best, but I think (Klaebo) was a little bit too strong for me today.”
On a historic day, Klaebo was pleased to win a team event and share the credit.
“I’m really proud of what we all achieved today, and it means a lot — not only for the team, but also for the guys back at the hotel who could have been part of the team, and for the waxers and the coaches,” he said.
Klaebo’s races were cheered by traveling Norwegian fans, including many close to him: his mother, Elisabeth, and fiancée Pernille Doesvik, as well as his grandfather and longtime mentor, Kare Hoesflot.
“He has been my coach since I was 15, and we have really, really worked for it. For me to have him here and to see this and what we have achieved over the years, it’s unbelievable,” Klaebo said, adding that the 83-year-old remains a major influence in his life.
“Every time we talk about training, he always has a plan,” he said. “He always has something to say, which gives me the confidence that we are on the right path.”
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, gives his Tina mascot tooth to fans on the stands after winning the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, waves from the podium, with teammates Einar Hedegart, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Emil Iversen, after winning the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, approaches the finish line to win the gold medal in the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, of Norway, skis uphill during the cross country skiing men's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
PHOENIX (AP) — Ta'Niya Latson scored 16 and Agot Makeer added 14 points and South Carolina played stifling defense to beat UConn 62-48 on Friday night, ending the Huskies' 54-game winning streak and advancing to the women's NCAA Tournament championship game.
The Gamecocks will face the winner of Texas and UCLA semifinal on Sunday for the title, capping off another March Madness. South Carolina (36-3) will be looking to win its fourth national championship. Their other three have come in the last decade.
UConn (38-1) entered the Final Four undefeated for the ninth time in school history and for the third straight time left without a title. The Huskies also lost in the 2017 and 2018 national semifinals. This was the fewest points UConn had scored since putting up 49 points in a national championship game loss to the Gamecocks in 2022.
The Huskies and Gamecocks played last season for the title and UConn came away with an 82-59 rout for the school’s 12th national championship. UConn also beat South Carolina handily during the 2024-25 regular season.
With less than a second remaining in the game, UConn coach Geno Auriemma walked across the court to shake hands with Dawn Staley and had an animated conversation with the South Carolina coach while pointing to the floor. Staley yelled back at him as assistants from both teams separated the two.
When the clock ran out finally, Auriemma walked straight to the tunnel and didn’t shake hands. The two teams did shake hands.
The teams came into the game as the second- and third-leading scoring teams in the nation, both averaging over 87 points per game. This was a defensive battle.
Leading 46-44 a few minutes into the third quarter, South Carolina scored five straight points, capped by Agot Makeer’s 3-pointer to extend the advantage to seven.
Sarah Strong hit a 3-pointer to get the Huskies back within 51-47 with 4:39 left. The Huskies didn't score again until Strong hit a free throw with 30.8 seconds left, after South Carolina had scored 11 straight points.
South Carolina clamped down on UConn’s two stars. Strong, who was honored as the AP Player of the Year on Thursday, had 12 points and 12 rebounds, but went 4 for 16 from the field. Azzi Fudd had just eight points for the Huskies, making only 3 of 15 shots.
UConn had its worst shooting night of the season finishing 19 for 61 (31.1%) from the field.
Trailing 26-24 at the half, South Carolina opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to take the lead. The Gamecocks extended the advantage to 40-30 — the biggest deficit the Huskies’ had faced this season.
UConn, which missed 10 of its first 11 3-point attempts, then started to get hot from the field, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers, the last by Fudd to get within 40-39. The All-America guard had missed seven of her first eight shots as she was blanketed by South Carolina’s defense.
South Carolina’s Tessa Johnson scored the final four points of the quarter to make it 44-39.
Both teams had cruised to the Final Four, each winning in the first four rounds of the tournament easily. The Huskies had been rarely challenged all season long, routing their Big East opponents by record margins.
Facing their first real test in a long time, they had no answer.
The opening 20 minutes was full of missed shots and turnovers. The two teams combined to shoot 22 for 62 from the field (35.4%) and had 14 turnovers. UConn led 26-24 at the half.
There were dozens of former Huskies and Gamecocks players in the crowd including Diana Taurasi, Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston. Boston was sitting next to Flavor Flav, who is a huge supporter of women’s sports.
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
UConn guard Azzi Fudd (35) fouls South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) during the second half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
South Carolina guard Agot Makeer (44) and UConn guard Kayleigh Heckel (9) scramble for the ball during the second half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
South Carolina guard Ta'Niya Latson (00) drives against UConn guard Blanca Quinonez (4) during the second half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson (5) shoots over UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) during the second half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
South Carolina guard Ta'Niya Latson (00) and South Carolina guard Agot Makeer (44) go for a rebound against UConn during the first half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
