Planica (SLO): All set for Junior and U23 World Championships

More than 450 athletes representing 42 different nations have gathered in Planica to battle at the 2024 FIS Junior and U23 World Ski Championships, 5 February – 11 February.

One year after the World Ski Championships, it's now the opportunity for the emerging generation to showcase their skills on the Slovenian tracks.

Competitors from all around the globe are ready to compete. Among them are some faces that may already be familiar, occasionally seen on the World Cup circuit. Others have ringed a bell on «continental circuits», and there are young talents ready to step into the spotlight.

A week of championships awaits, with competitions every day and an alternating schedule of junior and U23 races until Sunday. We will start this Monday with the junior sprint and conclude on Sunday with the U23 mixed relay. It's the highlight of the year for these young athletes in the discipline.

Make sure not to miss any of the races. This year, FIS is offering a livestream with English commentary and highlights through the whole week.
And you can see it all right here:

Watch Live (Youtube)

And here:

FIS TV

Woman to watch (Junior) 
Gina Del Rio(Andorra):

• 5 victories in the junior Fesa Cup this winter.

• Shows strength in both sprint and distance events.

Iris De Martin Pinter (Italy):

• Strong in sprint events.

• Finished 22nd at the World Championships seniors in Planica last year.

Samantha Smith (USA):

• 16 World Cup starts.

• Best performance was 21st in Goms World Cup.

Milla Andreassen (NOR):

• Dominating the Norwegian Cup in junior category.

• Double Junior World Ski Championships champion last year in Whistler.

Also watch out for:

• Silva Kemppi (FIN)

• Oline Vestad (NOR)

• Charlotte Boehmne (GER)

• Elin Naeslund (SWE)

• Tory Audet (CAN)

• Erica Laven (SWE)

Men to watch (Junior)

Alvar Myhlback (SWE):

• Born in 2006, considered the biggest talent in the discipline.

• Already particiapted in the World Cup.

Lars Heggen (NOR):

• Born in 2005, excels in both sprint and distance events.

• Considered the best Norwegian junior at the moment.

Isai Naeff (SUI):

• Born in 2005, excelling as a sprinter.

• Impressive with 7 victories in the junior FESA Cup this winter.

Davide Ghio (ITA):

• Born in 2004, has been performing in the FESA cup circuit for a few years.

• Achieved 3 TOP 10 finishes in the Junior World Ski Championships (JWSC) in the past.

Niclas Steiger (SUI) and Tom Emilio Wagner (GER):

• Regularly seen on the podium in the FESA Cup this winter.

Also watch out for:

• Jiri Tuz (CZE)

• Jack Lange (USA)

• Matt Seline (USA)

• Charly Deuffic (FRA)

• Jørgen Nordhagen (NOR)