Norwegian skier Ansgar Evensen secured his first World Cup victory in the men's classic sprint in Drammen on March 12, 2026, after top favorites Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo and Ben Ogden crashed out in the semifinals. The 25-year-old surged from sixth in the final to claim the win ahead of Czech Jiri Tuz and fellow Norwegian Kristian Kollerud, who earned a podium in his World Cup debut. Klaebo, who had already clinched the sprint discipline crystal globe in qualifying, was taken to hospital for precautionary checks following a head impact.
The FIS Cross-Country World Cup classic sprint in Drammen, Norway, delivered chaos and surprises on its urban street course. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo dominated qualifying with a time of 2:24.88, 2.59 seconds ahead of American Ben Ogden's 2:27.47, securing his eighth sprint crystal globe and extending his winning streak to 13 races before the incident. Both advanced through quarterfinals comfortably, with Klaebo winning his heat in 2:37.14 and Ogden powering to second in his.
Drama unfolded in the first semifinal on the icy downhill before the hairpin turn. Ogden fell after contact, tangling with Klaebo, who hit the back of his head on the hard-packed snow and possibly a trailing ski. Both received DNF designations, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. Anton Grahn of Sweden won the heat, with Jiri Tuz second; Alvar Myhlback also fell but third place was insufficient for lucky loser advancement.
The second semifinal saw Jules Chappaz lead from the front, with Kollerud second in his debut. Amundsen and Evensen advanced as lucky losers by hundredths. Evensen, who switched to combi boots after feeling unbalanced in quarters, started 17th in qualifying but capitalized in the final.
In the final, Tuz led early over the climb, but the pack regrouped. Grahn crashed at the hairpin, opening a path for Evensen to move from fifth to first with a strong surge, finishing in 2:31.24. Tuz took second, 0.31 seconds back, edging Kollerud by 0.03 seconds for third; Amundsen was fourth at 0.43 seconds off, Chappaz fifth.
"When Anton fell in the last corner, I had every opportunity, so I took it from fifth place to first," Evensen said. "I had to change boots... but you have to stay on your feet to win." Kollerud celebrated his podium in a club suit, despite a technique reprimand. Tuz earned his first World Cup podium at 21.
Klaebo, conscious and stable, underwent hospital tests; his status for Oslo's 50k is uncertain. He leads overall standings at 2,071 points, poised for a season sweep barring incidents.
