WORLD NORDIC CHAMPIONSHIPS in Planica, Slovenia February 21 – March 5, 2023

WORLD NORDIC CHAMPIONSHIPS in Planica, Slovenia February 21 – March 5, 2023

February 6, 2023

With just two weeks to the start of the World Nordic Championships, and no more World Cup races before the Championships, I decided to review the results from the World Cup races in 2022 and 2023. Based on the results the Norwegian men should dominate the races in both distance and sprint.

History, however,  shows us that in a in a World Championship anything can happen. Some skiers became sick or were injured. Others peaked too early and were in a downward spiral. Toblach was the last World Cup before the Championships and there were some surprising results this last weekend. The Italian men won the men’s relay for the first time in 17 years with Sweden 2nd and Norway 3rd. Based on other World Cup races in 2022 and 2023 Norway should have been an easy winner.  Sweden should have won the women’s relay, but they were beaten by Norway. So, anything can happen.

 Many skiers are so determined to do well at the World Championships that they skipped several World Cup races and just trained. The US women look very strong and could make the podium in both distance and sprint events.

 Len