Athletes train on course during the final training day at 2013 World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Photo: Fiemme 2013.
FasterSkier’s coverage of the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy, is brought to you by the generous support of Fischer Sports.
VAL DI FIEMME, Italy — The sun was out for the final training day of the 2013 World Championships, creating a perfect setting for the cross-country, nordic combined and ski jumping events that will take place in the valley throughout the next few weeks. Hundreds of athletes, coaches, wax crews, volunteers and media personnel were on course throughout Tuesday, each preparing for their respective roles in putting on a memorable championships from now until March 3.
The first cross-country race on Wednesday is a 5/10 k freestyle that will qualify the top ten men and ten women who finish it for the rest of the distance events in Val di Fiemme. Only athletes from developing ski nations without enough FIS points for the championships will compete in this non-medal event; Thursday’s classic sprint will be the first contest of the week for most of the top names.
FasterSkier will be on-site for the entire championships. Click through the photos below for images from the final training day in Val di Fiemme.
Start lists for the 5/10 k qualification event are available here.
The Val di Fiemme stadium on Tuesday, the final day before the qualification race and two days prior to the first medal competition. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Emil Jönsson (SWE) striding the classic sprint course. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
A Swedish athlete striding out of the stadium. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Marit Bjørgen (NOR) in the stadium with one of Norway’s crew members, sporting a new team suit. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Mirlene Picin Mika (BRA). Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Kikkan Randall (USA) logs a few training laps. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR). Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Liz Stephen (USA) striding the course. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) in discussion with her coach. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS) assessing the track with a teammate. Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Axel Teichmann (GER). Photo: Federico Modica/Fiemme 2013.
Teams testing wax in the final hours of daylight on Tuesday.
TV personnel fine-tune near the finish line. The wood building behind them was built specifically for television media at the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships at the Lago di Tesero stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
More testing.
A quick downhill precedes the final stretch in front of the stadium bleachers.
Test crews leave the stadium
Italian Nordic Combined skiers training.
Testing is done for the day.
Norwegian athletes go over the final meters.
TV cameras pointed directly at the finish line, waiting for the drama to unfold.
Evgeniy Belov (RUS) skating the lap lane. This is the 22-year-old’s second World Championships.
FasterSkier’s Alex Matthews checking out the mixed zone.
Italian Nordic Combined skiers return from training.
An army of snow guns in Val di Fiemme.
Athletes and crew walk back to the wax cabins.
The Marcialonga course runs through the valley.
Some cows overlook a venue parking lot as the sun sets.
![Athletes train on course during the final training day at 2013 World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Photo: Fiemme 2013.](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/02/MOD4659.jpg")
