The Devon Kershaw Show: 2021 World Championship Classic Sprint with Lenny Valjas

The storylines were many during Thursday’s classic sprint at the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany. As the backdrop for the racing — the temps were high, the salted course began to breakdown in the final corner, and running uphill with skis on … at lightning speed … was mandatory.

Norsk triple. Klaebo (left) raises his hands in victory as Valnes (middle) and Taugbøl (right) lunge for the line. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

Norway swept the men’s podium with none other than classic kingpin Johannes Høsflot Klæbo taking the win. For certain, as this was on display in both the men’s and women’s racing, Klæbo has helped redefine classic sprinting. Stride if you must, but if you’re weren’t Klæbo-running, you were falling behind.

With the win, Sundling scores her first career championship gold. (Photo: NordicFocus)

On the women’s side, Sweden took the win as Jonna Sundling won her first championship gold as she flew ahead of the competition into the final straight.

Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov (16) leads Canada’s Lenny Valjas (13) and American Erik Bjornsen (15) in the men’s classic team sprint final at the 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Photo: John Lazenby/lazenbyphoto.com)

Here to help break down the day’s racing, and partake in other digressions, is former Canadian National Team member Lenny Valjas. (Thank you Lenny for doing the pod.)