While cross-country skiing in Schilpario, Italy, offers an exquisite experience amidst the stunning backdrop of the Italian Alps, from February 3rd through 9th, the quiet, small Italian village of just over 1,000 inhabitants will be abuzz as it hosts the FIS Junior and U23 World Championship.
National teams from around the world will compete head-to-head, likely with strong representation from countries with successful skiing traditions, such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Canada, and the United States. Fans can look forward to thrilling performances, especially as athletes push the boundaries of their abilities in pursuit of world-class glory.
U20 Classic Sprint
Racing got started yesterday with the U20 Classic Sprint races. The North American men could not advance past the quarterfinals, with Cole Flowers (USA) having the best result in 15th place. Flowers had moved into second during his quarterfinals, cresting the course’s highpoint in a great position, but a stumble as he descended back to the stadium scrubbed just enough speed to allow Sweden’s Tage Boerjesson to regain contact, ultimately taking the second auto-qualifying position from Flowers in the fifth heat.
Canadians Finn Redman and Justin Boudreau finished the day in 20th and 28th, respectively, and American Murphy Kimball claimed 26th place.
Norway’s Filip Skari took home the World Championship crown in the finals, outsprinting teammate and defending Junior World Sprint Champion Lars Heggen. With a blazing double-pole down the finishing stretch, Isai Naeff (SUI) captured the final step on the podium.
Complete Results: Men’s FIS U20 World Championship Classic Sprint
In the women’s U20 race, the North Americans fared better. Canadian Alison Mackie, who showed smooth classic striding throughout the heats, finished in fourth place, while in contrast, the United States’ Sammie Smith relied on her powerful double-pole to take home fifth place. However, Norway, which had four women in the final heat, would sweep the podium.
Malin Hoelsveen took home the gold medal, with teammates Iselin Bjervig Drovenes and Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen finishing second and third, respectively.
Complete Results: Women’s FIS U20 World Championship Classic Sprint
Watch the FIS U20 World Championship Classic Sprint
U23 Classic Sprint
In the men’s race, Anton Grahn, who finished 7th place last weekend in the Cogne, Italy, World Cup and was the 15th fastest qualifier, charged out of the starting gates in the finals, opening up a roughly 20-meter gap before the skiers had even left the stadium. However, after the two main climbs and downhill back into the stadium, the top three became a line that fanned out as each skier chose their lane for the final drag race. Grahn once again relied on his dominant double-pole to take home the U23 World Championship. Grahn’s teammate, Maans Skoglund, who had been the quickest qualifier, captured second place, while Joergen Schjoelberg of Norway skied to the third step on the podium.
Canada’s Xavier McKeever was impressive in his quarterfinal heat and advanced to the semifinal, ultimately finishing his day in ninth place. Derek Deuling (CAN) also qualified for the heats, finishing his day in 23rd place.
For the United States, Michael Earnhart, who just missed advancing from his quarterfinal, led the way in 14th place. His teammate Will Koch, who raced in the same quarterfinal as Earnhart, finished in 19th place.
