World Junior Championships Update

Ken RothFebruary 8, 2024

The International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Junior World Championships are being held in Planica, Slovenia February 511. 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 21st, Evelyn Walton 25th, and Sofia Scirica 30th.

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 32nd, Trey Jones 39th, Lucas Wilmot 48th, and Matt Seline 67th.       

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

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 7th. She was followed by Samantha Smith 16th, Ally Wheeler 24th, and Nina Schamberger 27th.

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

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,

Ken Roth

Ken lives in Southeastern Michigan. He's an avid outdoor sport enthusiast. He's an attorney, former Mayor of Northville, Michigan, and former bowling center owner. He's spent much of the last 36 years trying to chase down his wife on classic skis; to no avail.

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