World Junior Championships Update

Ken Roth · February 8, 2024

The International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Junior World Championships are being held in Planica, Slovenia February 5–11. So far, two events have been contested, the Freestyle Sprints, and the 20-kilometer Freestyle Mass Start.

Samantha Smith (USA) shown racing in Goms, Switzerland took second place in the World Juniors Championship Sprints. (Photo: NordicFocus)

Freestyle Sprints

The Sprints were held on a 1.2-kilometer course for both the men and women.

Women’s Freestyle Sprint

FIRST Gina Del Rio (AND)

SECOND Samantha Smith (USA)

THIRD Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen (NOR)

Remarkably, every American competitor qualified for the heats. They were Ava Thurston in 21^st, Evelyn Walton 25^th, and Sofia Scirica 30^th.

The top Canadian finisher was Tory Audet in 15th. Alexandra Luxmoore was 18th, Clara Hegan was 38th, and Alison Mackie was 53rd,

Men’s Freestyle Sprint

Over 110 competitors were in the men’s field for the Freestyle Sprints.

The top men’s finishers were

FIRST Lars Heggen

SECOND Anton Grahn

THIRD Jonatan Lindberg

No Americans made the heats. The top American was Zachary Jayne in 32^nd, Trey Jones 39^th, Lucas Wilmot 48^th, and Matt Seline 67^th.

Two Canadians did qualify for the heats. Alexandre Cormier finished 21^st, Raleigh Tarte was 25th. Other Canadian finishers were Finn Redman 34^th, and Garrett Siever 64^th.

20-kilometer Freestyle Mass Start

Women’s World Juniors 20-kilometer Freestyle Mass Start

FIRST Maria Gismondi

SECOND Anniken Sand

THIRD Gina Del Rio

The top American finisher was Ava Thurston in 7^th. She was followed by Samantha Smith 16^th, Ally Wheeler 24th, and Nina Schamberger 27^th.

The top Canadian was Alexandra Luxmoore in 30^th. Other Canadian finishers were Clara Hegan 40^thand Sabine Comeau 53^rd.

Men’s World Juniors 20-kilometers Freestyle Mass Start

FIRST Joergen Nordhagen

SECOND Aksel Artusi

THIRD Davide Ghio

The top American finisher was Jack Lange in ninth. Zachary Jayne finished 47th, and Wes Campbell was 57th. Matt Seline was 58th.

The top Canadian was Alexandre Cormier in 23rd. Followed by Samuel Picard 24th, Raleigh Tarate 26th, and Garrett Siever 52nd,