Norwegian skier Johannes Hösflot Kläbo gets several “days off” from national team duties during the ski season. In his own time, he is free to market whatever he wants.
A skiing superstar Johannes Hösflot Kläbo race in Norwegian colors. However, he gets “days off” from national team duties almost every week during the season.
In addition to the holidays already included in the ski season, Kläbo demanded 8-9 “days off” after the Tour de Ski (December 30, 2023–January 7, 2024). As recently as Wednesday, the Norwegian Skiing Federation was unconditional regarding the now agreed condition.
Kläbo now has “days off” both during the World Cup season and after the Tour de Ski. He has to commit to the ski association’s marketing contracts during his national team duties, but on his “off days” Kläbo is free to do whatever he wants.
The contract obliges Kläbo to give up its sponsor Uno-X’s logo on the national team uniform.
– The contract was supposed to be worked on on Monday, but it was important for Johannes to make an agreement today (Friday), so we made a standard representation contract, Norway’s head of cross-country skiing Espen Bjervig told Norwegian TV2.
NRK’s experts were confused
An expert at the Norwegian public broadcasting company NRK Jan Petter Saltvedt describes the Norwegian Ski Association having given up. With the new contract, the association will not be able to use the country’s biggest skiing star in its own marketing.
– Kläbo shows the sponsors of the skiing association (in his ski outfit) in the competitions, but outside the competitions he is completely free to do whatever he wants – and still with a clear conscience, Saltvedt points out.
Editor of the Norwegian newspaper Adresseavisen Birger Löfaldl tells NRK that according to the regulations, Kläbo’s participation in the World Cup should have been banned. Instead, Kläbo now has an excellent opportunity to advertise his own sponsors, Löfaldli states.
– Now others who refuse to represent the national team must have the same opportunity as Kläbo. This challenges the entire ski association and its funding model, says Löfaldli.
Kläbo denies his lust for money
Kläbo said on Friday that he is tired of being called greedy for money. According to Kläbo, the accusations of greed have been the worst part of the negotiations with the ski association.
– Negotiations are really not about money. The truth is that the lies spread about the process have greatly annoyed me.
Kläbo says that he is happy when he gets to start his season on November 24 at the World Cup in Ruka.
The cross-country skiing world cup starts on November 24 in Ruka. In this article, you can find the competitions shown by and the Urheilustudio team this winter.