The reigning Olympic and World Champion in the sprint, Jonna Sundling from Sweden, is ready for a new World Championships. Now there are only a few days left before the sprint in Planica.

The Swedish National Team is already at the hotel where they will stay during the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. Jonna Sundling is satisfied with the preparations before the competitions.

“Everything has worked well. The last few weeks have been very nice, and I have been able to train at high altitude, compete in the World Cup and then be on my way to high altitude again. I think it has worked well. Now we are here in Villach and doing the last preparations before the World Championships,” Sundling says during the press conference ahead of the World Championships.

There is a high probability that we will have Swedish skiers on the podium in the sprint. The Swedish sprint women have performed at a high level in recent seasons, and the competition for places at the World Championships has been fierce.

“Everyone in the team could win, a really impressive team if you consider it. Everyone has opportunities for great achievements,” says Jonna Sundling.

On Thursday, it is time for the first competition for the Swedish skiers, the sprint. Sundling believes that the end of the sprint course will be decisive for the results.

“It’s an easy start, it goes downhill, and it’s flat, then a very long climb begins, there I think a lot can happen, but where the final will be decided, I think it’s hard to say, but somewhere at the end,” says Jonna Sundling and continues:

“It has a tough finish, with a long climb, and then it goes downhill, and then you think there will be a little rest, but then you have the curves, and the downhill is quite fast. Then it’s just back to work. Right from the bottom to the finish, there are difficult parts, so it is probably the whole part that is the toughest.”

Then it’s time for the team sprint at the weekend, where she hopes to take one of the team’s spots.

“Priority one for me is the sprint, and then we’ll see what the body has to offer and which distances will be relevant for me.”

See below the complete program for the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. *Subject to changes

FACTS Planica World Championships Season 2022/2023

• When: Tuesday, February 21 to Sunday, March 5, 2023 
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Planica, Slovenia
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Championships in Planica, Slovenia

Planica 2023 – Cross-Country Skiing Complete Program

February 21, Tuesday

• 20:23 Opening Ceremony, Planica Nordic Park Kranjska Gora

February 22, Wednesday

• 12:00 Women’s Qualification race, 5km freestyle
• 13:30 Men’s Qualification race, 10km freestyle

February 23, Thursday

• 12:00 Women/Men Sprint qualification, classic
• 14:30 Women/Men Sprint finals, classic

February 24, Friday

• 15:30 Men’s Skiathlon, 15/15km

February 25, Saturday

• 14:00 Women’s Skiathlon, 7.5km/7.5km

February 26, Sunday

• 11:30 Women/Men Team Sprint qualification, freestyle
• 13:30 Women/Men Team Sprint finals, freestyle

February 27, Monday 

• Day Off

February 28, Tuesday

• 12:30 Women’s Individual, 10km freestyle

March 1, Wednesday

• 12:30 Men’s Individual, 15km freestyle

March 2, Thursday 

• 12:30 Women’s Relay, 4x5km classic/freestyle

March 3, Friday

• 12:30 Men’s Relay, 4x10km classic/freestyle

March 4, Saturday

• 12:00 Women’s Mass Start, 30km classic

March 5, Sunday

• 12:00 Men’s Mass Start, 50km classic
• After the competition – Medal and Closing Ceremony

Read More: 2023 World Championships Program Is Ready 

Here are some of the Cross-Country Skiing National Teams for the 2023 World Championships

• Norway: Norway’s Team for the World Championships in Planica
• Sweden: Sweden’s Team for the World Championships in Planica
• Finland: Finland’s Team for the World Championships in Planica
• France: French Team for the World Championships in Planica
• Italy: Italian Team for the World Championships in Planica
• Canada: Canada’s Team for the World Championships in Planica
• USA: US Team for the World Championships in Planica