Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo takes in U.S. Open golf, Norway World Cup match in New York trip
· Yahoo Sports
SOUTHAMPTON, New York — It's quite a time to be a sports fan in the New York City area, and the world's best winter sports athlete is partaking.
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Cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who won a record six gold medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics, arrived in the Big Apple this weekend to attend the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament on Long Island on Sunday and then a World Cup match between his native Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on Monday.
Klaebo shared some of his time upon arriving at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club to discuss his trip and Norwegian sports. Interview lightly edited for clarity and length:
NBCSports.com: Why are you at the U.S. Open?
Klaebo: The plan was to come out here to see the Norwegians (Viktor Hovland and Kristoffer Reitan) play. Unfortunately, they didn't make the cut. But we're here with with some friends. I'm just going to enjoy the show today here, and then we're going to head back to New York to prepare ourselves for the game tomorrow.
NBCSports.com: Have you been to a major golf tournament before?
Klaebo: First time. It's really cool to be here and see how it works. Just been watching it on the TV.
NBCSports.com: Do you play golf?
Klaebo: Yeah, I play a little bit. It's kind of a hobby. It's a little bit on and off in terms of when I have time to play.
NBCSports.com: Do you have a handicap?
Klaebo: I do. It's seven-point something, so it's not too bad, but it's still a way to go. I think I would struggle out here (at Shinnecock).
NBCSports.com: Do you know any of the Norwegian golfers?
Klaebo: So some of these guys (I'm traveling with) are good friends with Viktor. I know Kristoffer pretty well. We're around the same age and been playing together a couple of times when we were in Trondheim in some kind of pro-am tournament. So it's been impressive to see what he has accomplished over the last half-year (Reitan earned his first PGA Tour win in May at the Truist Championship).
NBCSports.com: Turning to soccer, have you been to a World Cup match before?
Klaebo: No. It's the first time in 28 years that Norway qualified. So it was about time, and now I finally had the time to do it. It was perfect timing,
NBCSports.com: What makes you more nervous, racing in the Olympics or watching the national team in the World Cup?
Klaebo: I still think the Olympic race is more nerve-racking for me. But tomorrow it's going to be really interesting. It's an important match for the Norwegian team. We need to win, or at least need to have points. So it's going to be crucial.
NBCSports.com: Have you ever spoken with Erling Haaland?
Klaebo: We did a commercial together in Norway (for a fruits and vegetables company), that's coming out in a couple of weeks. And (fellow Trondheim native) Alexander Soerloth is a good friend of mine.
NBCSports.com: Who's more famous in Norway, you or Haaland?
Klaebo: Haaland is way more known than me. I think he would have struggled to go here (to Shinnecock) without being recognized. For me, I can just go here and enjoy the time here.
NBCSports.com: You've been big in Norway for a long time, but has anything changed back home since winning six golds in February?
Klaebo: The Olympics for sure helped in terms of getting known, so I would say it's a little bit more now than it has been. It's a good sign (to be more famous), because then you know that you have been doing something right, and you have accomplished something.
NBCSports.com: Would you consider roller skiing in Central Park while you're here?
Klaebo: I didn't bring them, but I had a great morning run this morning close to the river, and I saw it was a lot of people biking. I'm not sure if roller skiing would fit very well, but maybe at one time (in the future).
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, after 6 Olympic gold medals, eyes another big goalJohannes Hoesflot Klaebo, if recovered from a concussion, has a big goal left at the World Cup Finals airing on NBC Sports and Peacock.