Cross Country Skiing
Norwegians Play Dirty at World Ski Championships – Swedish Star Calls Tracks Life-Threatening
February 25, 2025 / Yle
The article discusses the problematic and dangerous condition of the ski tracks at the World Ski Championships in Trondheim, where icy conditions have forced many national teams to cancel or postpone their training sessions. Swedish star Edvin Anger and Finnish technician Heikki Tonteri criticize the situation, with expert Ville Nousiainen even hinting at a deliberate move by the Norwegians to gain a competitive advantage.
Ticket Sales for the Trondheim World Championships Proceed Smoothly
February 25, 2025 / Yle
The article reports on the strong ticket sales ahead of the Nordic skiing World Championships 2025 in Trondheim, Norway. With nearly 192,000 of the target 220,000 tickets already sold, organizers are optimistic that record crowds will fill the arenas for cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined events over the coming week and a half.
Klæbo did as the Swedes: 'Life-threatening'
February 25, 2025 / Eurosport
The article reports on extreme and dangerous training conditions observed at Granåsen during the World Championships. While the Swedish team shifted their training indoors at Skistua in Bymarka due to icy and hard snow, Norwegian star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo opted to train outdoors in the forest despite warnings that the conditions were 'life-threatening'. Experts expressed mixed opinions about the conditions, with some criticizing the decision to train under such circumstances.
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The Doping Bombs that Shook the Ski World Championships – A Double Finnish Tragedy
February 25, 2025 / Eurosport
This article recounts four major doping scandals that have marred the history of cross-country skiing world championships, beginning with the 1997 Trondheim incident involving Russian superstar Ljubov Jegorova. It also details two infamous Finnish doping episodes – one from Lahti and another involving Kaisa Varis at Val di Fiemme – as well as a scandal at Seefeld in 2019 involving Austrian and other international athletes, which collectively had long-lasting repercussions on the sport.
Reasons Behind Johannes Kläbo's Supreme Dominance – One Formula to Beat the Sprint King
February 25, 2025 / Yle
The article explains how Johannes Kläbo has dominated World Cup sprint races in cross‐country skiing for nearly seven years, winning about 90% of his races and all major championship sprints since the 2018 Winter Olympics. Nordic skiing experts Teemu Pasanen and former sprint specialist Kalle Lassila attribute his success to unique qualities such as exceptional endurance, unmatched acceleration, and superior tactical awareness, while also discussing the rare conditions where even formidable rivals like Richard Jouve and Lucas Chanavat can challenge him.
Olympic Committee Urges Winter Sports Federations to Admit Russians and Belarusians
February 25, 2025 / SVT Sport
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged winter sports federations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics, despite being barred from many competitions since the invasion of Ukraine. This has raised discussions on the possibility of neutral athletes participating in the Olympics if the respective federations agree to their inclusion.
Nordic Ski World Championships – Can German Cross-Country Skiers Reclaim Team Medals?
February 24, 2025 / sportschau.de
The article discusses the renewed medal prospects of the German cross‐country skiing team heading into the Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim. It highlights how past team successes in Planica have been built upon with individual breakthroughs by athletes such as Victoria Carl, whose realistic medal chances in individual events are bolstered by a strong and developing team effort, and mentions standout performances from Friedrich Moch, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, and Laura Gimmler.
Norwegians Suspect Iivo Niskanen of Feigning Illness – 'He Has Complained About Being Sick Before'
February 24, 2025 / Yle
Norwegian skiing figures are expressing skepticism over Finnish cross-country star Iivo Niskanen’s claim that he contracted influenza following the Falun World Cup events, casting doubt on his readiness for the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim 2025. Experts note that given his history of exaggerating complaints of illness, it is uncertain whether he will recover to peak performance in time for the major competitions.
Petter Northug misses Vasaloppet: 'There were some terrible days'
February 24, 2025 / Sveriges Radio
Renowned cross-country skier Petter Northug has withdrawn from the Vasaloppet due to illness. Northug revealed that he suffered from norovirus, which brought on severe symptoms including rashes and fever, forcing him to miss the race; he previously finished 18th last year and 48th in 2023.
Petter Northug Withdraws from Vasaloppet After Illness Troubles – Season May Be Over
February 24, 2025 / Eurosport
Former skiing icon Petter Northug, 39, has withdrawn from the Vasaloppet due to severe illness, including a bout with norovirus and previous back issues. His decision casts doubt on his ability to continue competing this season, potentially jeopardizing his participation in other major events such as the ski-NM.
How a Sick Iivo Niskanen is Replaced – Finland’s Substitute Heads First for Vasaloppet
February 24, 2025 / Yle
Iivo Niskanen’s participation in the 2025 World Championships is uncertain due to a severe illness, leaving the Finnish team to make adjustments. Remi Lindholm will take his place in the combination event while reserve Markus Vuorela is set to compete in the 50 km race, starting with the upcoming Vasaloppet. Coach Teemu Pasanen emphasizes that Niskanen must fully recover before resuming training and competition to protect his long-term health.
The Shock for the Finnish Star: 'Like a Gift from Sweden'
February 24, 2025 / Sveriges Radio
Just days before the Cross-Country Skiing World Championships in Trondheim, Finland’s top medal hope, Iivo Niskanen, has fallen ill. After a World Cup weekend in Falun a week earlier, Niskanen now faces the possibility of missing the championships due to the flu, which he describes as having arrived 'like a gift from Sweden'.