Junior and U-23 Worlds in Kranj, Slovenia start today. Fasterskier.com will have daily updates.
Sweden’s big hope on the women’s side is Charlotte Kalla. She just won a Scandinavian Cup race (senior class) in the 10-k freestyle. Norway dominated junior Worlds last year and several defending champions are returning including Marte Elden, Betty Ann Bjerkreim and Petter Northug. Northug captured two gold at last years Junior Worlds and was recently left of the Norwegian Olympic team after beating skiers that made the team. For details see Olympic Team Selection Controversy In Norway http://www.fasterskier.com/racing2989.html
Both Canada and US are sending teams that might be the strongest we have seen for these types of championships in recent years. For detail about the US team see:
US Ski Team Announces World Junior Team http://www.fasterskier.com/racing2971.html
U.S. Under-23 Cross Country World Championships Team Announced http://www.fasterskier.com/news2982.html
The Canadian team (Source: Cross Country Canada)
Women U23
Chandra Crawford Canmore Nordic, Ab
Dasha Gaiazova Skielite, Que
Perianne Jones Nakkertok, Ont
Madeleine Williams Edmonton Nordic, Ab
Men U23
Sean Crooks Big Thunder, Ont
Phil Widmer Banff Ski Runners, Ab
Dave Nighbor North Bay, Ont
Graham Nishikawa Whitehorse, Yuk
Jesse Heckrodt Larch Hills, BC
Women Junior
Amanda Ammar Edmonton Nordic
Brittany Webster Highland Trailblazers, Ont
Kate Brennan Kanata Racers, Ont
Hannah Perry Foothills Nordic Ski Club, Ab
Men Junior
Alex Harvey Nordique Mont-Ste-Anne, Que
Brent McMurtry Foothills Nordic, Ab
Chris Butler Big Thunder, Ont
Haakon Lenes Banff Ski Runners, Ab
Georg Jalkotzy Foothills Nordic, Ab
Frederic Touchette Nordique Mont-Ste-Anne, Que
The program:
Tuesday January 31: Sprint freestyle for both juniors and U-23
Wednesday February 1: 5 km classic women juniors and 10-k classic junior men
Thursday February 2: 10-k classic for U-23 women and 15-k classic for U-23 men.
Friday February 3: 10/20-K pursuit for juniors
Saturday February 4: 15/30-k pursuit for U-23
Sunday February 5: 4 x 5-k and 4 x 10-k relays for juniors
