U.S. teammates Sadie Bjornsen (l) and Jessie Diggins after placing third in the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (All photos: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Whew, that was a whirlwind. Over the last two and a half weeks of Nordic World Championships racing in Lahti, Finland, we witnessed the U.S. and Canadian cross-country teams capture a total of four medals: silver and bronze in the women’s freestyle sprint (with Americans Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall, respectively), bronze in the women’s classic team sprint (with U.S. teammates Diggins and Sadie Bjornsen), and gold in the final race of World Championships: the men’s 50-kilometer freestyle mass start (won by Canada’s Alex Harvey).
With two extremely hardworking FasterSkier reporters and a tireless contributing photographer on the ground in Lahti, we did our best to cover these historic moments in skiing history. Thanks to John Lazenby, here is a collection of unseen photos from the last 13 days. View his entire collection on Lazenbyphoto.com.
(Click each photo to enlarge)
Training day on the eve of 2017 Nordic World Championships, Feb. 21, in Lahti, Finland.
A Swedish wax tech testing skis on training day, Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Lahti, Finland.
Members of the Iranian ski team on training day, Feb. 21, in Lahti, Finland.
An Austrian skier on training day, Tuesday, Feb. 21 in Lahti, Finland.
2017 World Championships jump training on Feb. 21 in Lahti, Finland. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
World Championships jump training on Feb. 21 in Lahti, Finland.
Lahti World Championships volunteers soaking up the sun on official training day, Feb. 21.
Volunteers working hard on the first day of 2017 Nordic World Championships, Feb. 22 in Lahti, Finland.
A Latvian team member at the 5/10 k classic qualifying races for 2017 Nordic World Championships, Feb. 22, in Lahti, Finland.
Dahria Beatty (Canadian U25 Team) racing to 37th in the women’s freestyle sprint qualifier on Feb. 23 at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Ida Sargent (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 27th in the women’s freestyle sprint qualifier on Feb. 23 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. She went on to finish 24th overall on the day.
American Ida Sarget (27) racing in the quarterfinals of the women’s freestyle sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Sargent placed 24th overall on the day.
Kikkan Randall (U.S. Ski Team) en route to bronze in the women’s freestyle sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Americans Jessie Diggins (l) and Kikkan Randall doing a victory “lap” down the homestretch after placing second and third in the women’s freestyle sprint at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
The top-three medalists in the women’s freestyle sprint at 2017 Nordic World Championships absorb the crowd, with American Jessie Diggins (l) holding her nation’s flag while standing next to Kikkan Randall (c), who placed third, and Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla (r), who won. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Jessie Diggins (U.S. Ski Team) after placing second in the women’s freestyle sprint at 2017 Nordic World Championships on Feb. 23 in Lahti, Finland.
The women’s freestyle sprint podium at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland, with Americans Jessie Diggins (l) in second and Kikkan Randall (r) in third, and Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla (c) in first.
Alex Harvey (Canadian World Cup Team) racing to 13th in the men’s freestyle sprint qualifier at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland. He went on to finish the day in 12th overall.
Erik Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 36th in the men’s freestyle sprint qualifier at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Erik Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 36th in the men’s freestyle sprint qualifier at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Cole Morgan (Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation) representing the U.S. at 2017 World Championships and racing to 54th in the men’s freestyle sprint qualifier on Feb. 23 in Lahti, Finland.
2017 Lahti FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
U.S. support staff after their team’s double podium in the women’s freestyle sprint at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (From left to right) J.P. Laurin, Chris Grover, Tim Baucom, Andrew Morehouse, Patrick Moore, and Oleg Ragilo.
Austria’s Bernhard Gruber (4) leading his teammate Mario Seidl (5), Estonia’s Kristjan Ilves (3) and Japan’s Akito Watabe (6) during the men’s 10 k Gundersen on Feb. 24 at Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
American Bryan Fletcher (!6) leading Japan’s Yoshito Watabe early in the men’s 10 k Gundersen start in the first nordic-combined competition of 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland, on Feb. 24. Fletcher went on to place 14th and Yoshito Watabe 44th.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen lead Finland’s Krista Parmakoski and the rest of the lead pack in the women’s 15 k skiathlon at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen leads Finland’s Krista Parmakoski during the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Saturday at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Bjørgen ultimately won by 4.8 seconds over Parmakoski.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen racing to a 4.8-second win in the women’s 15 k skiathlon at 2017 Nordic World Championships on Feb. 25 in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen (4) and Finland’s Krista Parmakoski congratulate each other after duking it out for gold in the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Feb. 25 at Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Bjørgen took it by 4.8 seconds.
Finland’s Krista Parmakoski greets her home-country’s crowd after placing second in the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Feb. 25 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson (13) leading the pack with Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby (1) close during the men’s 30 k skiathlon at 2017 World Championships on Feb. 25 in Lahti, Finland. Halfvarsson went on to place 20th and Sundby second.
2017 Lahti FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
Sweden’s Ida Ingemarsdotter (11) and American Sadie Bjornsen (10) go head to head in the women’s classic sprint final at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Sadie Bjornsen leads Germany’s Stefanie Böhler during the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Sadie Bjornsen leads Germany’s Stefanie Böhler during the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Sadie Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) racing in the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Sadie Bjornsen (l) en route to her first World Championships medal, bronze with teammate Jessie Diggins (not shown), in the women’s classic team sprint on Feb. 26 in Lahti, Finland.
Jessie Diggins (10) skiing just ahead of Russia’s Natalia Matveeva (l) and Sweden’s Stina Nilsson (11) during the women’s classic team sprint final at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Jessie Diggins (10) leading Sweden’s Stina Nilsson (11) and Germany’s Nicole Fessel during the women’s classic team sprint final on Feb. 26 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Jessie Diggins leading the chase pack on the final leg of the women’s classic team sprint final at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Jessie Diggins (l) going head to head with Sweden’s Stina Nilsson down the finishing stretch, just before Diggins clinched bronze ahead of Nilsson in the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
American Jessie Diggins (r) outlunging Sweden’s Stina Nilsson for bronze in the women’s classic team sprint final on Feb. 26 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen racing in the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland, where her team (with Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, not shown) ultimately placed fifth.
Canada’s Dahria Beatty racing in the classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti Finland, where the Canadian women placed 13th overall.
Canada’s Dahria Beatty racing in the classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti Finland, where the Canadian women placed 13th. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Heidi Weng being interviewed after teaming up with Maiken Caspersen Falla (not shown) to win the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 Nordic World Championships on Feb. 26 in Lahti, Finland.
U.S. teammates Sadie Bjornsen (l) and Jessie Diggins after placing third in the women’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
American fans/supporters on team-sprint day, Feb. 26, at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland, including Simi Hamilton’s mom, Simi Hamilton’s mother, Ruth Brown (l).
American Simi Hamilton (r) leads Canada’s Alex Harvey (in red) and a large group (including Kazakhstan’s Ivan Lyuft (19)) during the men’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Emil Iversen leads Sweden’s Teodor Peterson (4) during the men’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway with the lead in the men’s classic team sprint final at 2017 Nordic World Championships on Feb. 26 in Lahti, Finland.
Sergey Ustiugov racing to the win for Russia in the men’s classic team sprint on Feb. 26 at World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Ustiugov teamed up with Nikita Kriukov (not shown) for gold.
Sergey Ustiugov racing to the win for Russia in the men’s classic team sprint on Feb. 26 at World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Ustiugov teamed up with Nikita Kriukov (not shown) for gold.
Erik Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) anchoring the U.S. to its best team sprint result of fifth place in the men’s classic team sprint at 2017 World Championships on Feb. 26 in Lahti, Finland. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen racing to a 41-second win in the women’s 10 k classic at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen racing to a 41-second win in the women’s 10 k classic at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen (c) after winning her 16th World Championships gold medal on Feb. 28 in the women’s 10 k classic in Lahti, Finland. Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla (l) placed second and Norway’s Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen (r) finished third.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen after winning her 16th World Championships gold medal on Feb. 28 in the women’s 10 k classic in Lahti, Finland.
Ben Lustgarten (Craftsbury Green Racing Project) representing the U.S. while skiing to 55th in the men’s 15 k classic at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Ben Lustgarten (Craftsbury Green Racing Project) representing the U.S. while skiing to 55th in the men’s 15 k classic at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Canada’s Devon Kershaw en route to 35th in the men’s 15 k classic at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Finland’s Iivo Niskanen racing to first in the men’s 15 k classic at 2017 Nordic World Championships on March 1 in Lahti, Finland.
Finland’s Iivo Niskanen after winning the men’s 15 k classic on March 1 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby racing to second in the men’s 15 k classic at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby (70) racing to second in the men’s 15 k classic at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Finland’s Iivo Niskanen in the leader’s chair and Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby (r) on the ground after Sundby finished 17.9 seconds short of Niskanen’s time for the win in the men’s 15 k classic on March 1 at World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Finland’s Iivo Niskanen celebrating his first World Championships gold in the men’s 15 k classic on March 1, 2017 in Lahti, Finland.
American Taylor Fletcher (60) leading Russia’s Samir Mastiev (47) and Estonia’s Han Hendrik Piho (48) during the nordic-combined individual large hill/10 k Gundersen ski race on March 1 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Fletcher placed 36th after starting 51st. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
American Adam Loomis racing to 44th in the nordic-combined individual large hill/10 k Gundersen competition on March 1 at Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Switzerland’s Nathalie von Siebenthal racing the second-fastest third leg of the women’s 4 x 5 k relay at 2017 World Championships on March 2 in Lahti, Finland. Her team finished seventh. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Finland’s Krista Parmakoski (r) and Sweden’s Stina Nilsson racing for silver in the women’s 4 x 5 k relay on March 2 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Sweden took it by half a second.
Sweden’s anchor Stina Nilsson is congratulated by her teammates (from left to right) Anna Haag, Ebba Andersson and Charlotte Kalla, after Nilsson anchored them to silver in the women’s 4 x 5 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
The Norwegian women’s relay after taking gold in the 4 x 5 k on March 2 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland, with (from left to right) Maiken Caspersen Falla, Marit Bjørgen, Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, and Heidi Weng.
The Swedish women’s relay team, with (from left to right) Stina Nilsson, Ebba Andersson, Charlotte Kalla, and Anna Haag, after taking silver in the 4 x 5 k on March 2 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Sadie Bjornsen leads her U.S. relay teammates, Liz Stephen, Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall, out of the finishing area after placing fourth in the women’s 4 x 5 k on March 2 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Russia’s Andrey Larkov (r) leading with Norway’s Didrik Tønseth on the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Norway went on to win while Russia placed second.
Russia’s Andrey Larkov leads Norway’s Didrik Tønseth on the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Norway went on to win while Russia placed second.
Russia’s Andrey Larkov leads Norway’s Didrik Tønseth on the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Norway went on to win while Russia placed second.
Germany’s Thomas Bing leading Sweden’s Daniel Rickardsson and Switzerland’s Jason Rueesch during the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Germany’s Thomas Bing leading Switzerland’s Jason Rueesch and Sweden’s Daniel Rickardsson during the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
American Kyle Bratrud and Canada’s Graeme Killick skiing the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay on March 3 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Canada’s Graeme Killick racing the first leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Finland’s Iivo Niskanen skiing the second leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland. His team ultimately placed fifth.
Sweden’s Marcus Hellner (r) leads Germany’s Florian Notz (7) during the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at the 2017 Nordic World Championships on Friday in Lahti, Finland.
Sweden’s Marcus Hellner leads Germany’s Florian Notz during the third leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Sweden ultimately placed third and Germany sixth. (Photo: John Lazenby)
Russia’s relay anchor Sergey Ustiugov in pursuit of Norway’s Finn Hagen Krogh during the final leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Finn Hagen Krogh is congratulated by his teammates after anchoring Norway to gold in the men’s 4 x 10 k relay on March 3 at World Championships in Lahti, Finland, 4.6 seconds ahead of Russia in second place.
Finn Hagen Krogh is congratulated by his teammates after anchoring Norway to gold in the men’s 4 x 10 k relay on March 3 at World Championships in Lahti, Finland, 4.6 seconds ahead of Russia in second place.
The Norwegian men’s gold-medal relay team with (from left to right) Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Didrik Tønseth, Niklas Dyrhaug, and Finn Hagen Krogh, on March 3 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
The lead pack in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start, with (from left to right) Norway’s Marit Bjørgen, Norway’s Heidi Weng, Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and Norway’s Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen near the front.
The lead pack in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start, with (from left to right) Norway’s Marit Bjørgen, Norway’s Heidi Weng, Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and Norway’s Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen near the front.
Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla (5) leads Norway’s Marit Bjørgen (3) in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start on March 4 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Chelsea Holmes (Alaska Pacific University) racing for the U.S. and en route to a career-best 13th in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start at 2017 World Championships.
Canada’s Cendrine Browne racing to a career-best 26th in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start on March 4 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Marit Bjørgen (3) leading the pack in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start on March 4 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Marit Bjørgen hugs her Norwegian teammate Ragnhild Haga after they placed first and fourth, respectively in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Marit Bjørgen (r) and American Jessie Diggins embrace after they placed first and fifth, respectively, in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start on March 4 at the 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
The all-Norwegian women’s 30 k freestyle mass start podium at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland, with Marit Bjørgen (c) in first, Heidi Weng (l) in second, and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen (r) in third.
Norwegian fans on the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start day, March 4, at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norwegian fans on the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start day, March 4, at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Chelsea Holmes with her Alaska Pacific University (APU) coach Erik Flora after Holmes placed a career-best 13th in the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Anders Gløersen (14) leading Alex Harvey and the rest of the pack in the men’s 50 k freestyle mass start on March 5 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Norway’s Anders Gløersen (14) leading Alex Harvey and the rest of the pack in the men’s 50 k freestyle mass start on March 5 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov (4) leading the pack in the men’s 50 k freestyle mass start at 2017 World Championships on March 5 in Lahti, Finland.
American Tad Elliott (41) skiing in the pack of the men’s 50 k freestyle mass start at 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
American Tad Elliott (Ski Club Vail) after placing a career-best 27th in the men’s 50 k freestyle mass start on the last day of 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Canada’s Alex Harvey celebrating his first individual World Championships gold on March 5 after winning the men’s 50 k freestyle mass start 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
The men’s 50 k freestyle mass start podium on March 5 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland, with Canada’s Alex Harvey (c) in first, Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov (l) in second and Finland’s Matti Heikkinen in third.
Canadian World Championships team members, support staff and fans, including Emily Nishikawa (c) and technical services coordinator Joel Jaques (far right) celebrate Alex Harvey’s gold in the 50 k freestyle mass start on March 5 at 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
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