Klaebo clinches 3rd individual gold at Milan-Cortina Winter Games

TESERO, Italy, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics cross-country men's 10km interval start free event unfolded on Friday, with Norwegian star Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo sprinting to the title and securing his third individual gold of the Games.

Klaebo crossed the finish line in 20 minutes 36.2 seconds, extending his Olympic gold tally to eight in total.

France's Mathis Desloges claimed the silver with a time of 20:41.1, followed by three Norwegians in close pursuit. The bronze medal was awarded to Norway's Einar Hedegart, who finished in 20:50.2.

"It means a lot. This is the first time I have won a 10k skating (freestyle technique) interval start (including the FIS Cross-Country World Cup or at a championship), so being able to do that here at the Olympics, it's just amazing, and with the weather and the atmosphere, to kind of have my best day here at the Olympics, it's special," Klaebo said.

China's sole competitor, Li Minglin, completed the course in 24:52.6, finishing 78th.

The cross-country program will feature the women's 4x7.5km relay for the gold medal on Saturday. ■