The sprint star has barely trained since the summer and feared that his entire season was lost, but then everything turned around. On Friday, Lucas Chanavat will make his World Cup comeback in Trondheim.

Lucas Chanavat missed both the season opener in Beitostølen and the World Cup opener in Ruka and feared that both the Olympics and the entire season were in jeopardy.

But now, two and a half months after he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in the tibia, the 30-year-old is ready to race again.

For most of the time after the injury was discovered, he was unable to train at all. He could only gradually resume training in mid-November. Chanavat himself is surprised that he is already fit to compete – and even ready for the World Cup.

“A month ago, I thought the whole season was going to be ruined,” Chanavat told NordicMag, adding: “It wasn’t expected that things would progress this quickly.”

Also Read – Cross-country World Cup: Complete program for Trondheim

Has a lot to catch up on

His only form test was a national race in Bessans, France, last Thursday, where he finished sixth. He admits that he still has some work to do.

He sees his chance in the World Cup next weekend as a vote of confidence. Chanavat has 24 podiums in the World Cup among his achievements, including four victories.

“It’s a nice challenge and motivating for the time to come,” says Lucas Chanavat.

“I have much lower expectations than normal. But it’s a step on the way.”

FACTS Trondheim World Cup Season 2025/2026

• When: Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7, 2025 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Trondheim, Norway
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Trondheim, Norway

PROGRAM

Friday, December 5: Sprint Classic (More details can be found HERE)

• 9:45 CET: Sprint Qualification Classic, Women
• 9:45 CET: Sprint Qualification Classic, Men
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Final Classic, Women
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Final Classic, Men

Saturday, December 6: 20km Skiathlon – Classic/Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

• 11:10 CET: 20km Skiathlon Classic/Free, Men
• 13:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon Classic/Free, Women

Sunday, December 7: 10km Interval Start Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

• 9:30 CET: 10km Interval Start Freestyle, Women
• 11:55 CET: 10km Interval Start Freestyle, Men

Read More: Cross-country skiing World Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season 

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