German talent claims Mass Start gold at the U23 World Championships in Lillehammer

by Leandro Lutz • 05.03.2026
Elias Keck
The Junior and U23 World Championships 2026 continued today in Lillehammer, Norway, with a 20km Mass Start race in freestyle technique for the U23 skiers. Here are the men’s results.

The Junior and U23 World Championships 2026 continued today in Lillehammer, Norway, with a 20km Mass Start race in freestyle technique for the U23 skiers. Here are the men’s results.

Elias Keck, from Germany, delivered a solid performance in the men’s 20km Mass Start freestyle race, claiming victory at the U23 World Championships in Lillehammer – complete results from the event.

Keck secured the gold in a close final with a time of 43:32.5.

Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Savelii Korostelev finished second, just 0.3 seconds behind, while Xavier McKeever, from Canada, rounded out the podium in third place, 0.6 seconds back.

Top 5, 20km Mass Start Freestyle, U23 Men

  1. Elias Keck (GER), 43:32.5
  2. Savelii Korostelev (AIN), +0.3
  3. Xavier McKeever (CAN), +0.6
  4. Davide Ghio (ITA), +0.8
  5. Tobias Ganner (AUT), +0.9

Complete results can be found HERE

Live on SC Play

SC Play will broadcast the championships live worldwide from Tuesday to Friday, except in Sweden and Norway. On Saturday and Sunday, you can watch Ski Classics and the exciting competition premiere, Orsa Grönklitt 50K ITT, on SC Play worldwide.

WATCH ON SC PLAY

FACTS Junior & U23 Lillehammer World Championships 2026

PROGRAM

Monday, March 2: Junior Sprint Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

  • 10:00 CET: Sprint Qualify F, Junior Women
  • 10:30 CET: Sprint Qualify F, Junior Men
  • 12:30 CET: Sprint Final F, Junior Men
  • 13:00 CET: Sprint Final F, Junior Women

Tuesday, March 3: U23 Sprint Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

  • 10:00 CET: Sprint Qualify F, U23 Women
  • 10:30 CET: Sprint Qualify F, U23 Men
  • 12:30 CET: Sprint Final F, U23 Women
  • 13:00 CET: Sprint Final F, U23 Men

Wednesday, March 4: Junior 20km Mass Start Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

  • 10:00 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Junior Women
  • 12:30 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Junior Men

Thursday, March 5: U23 20km Mass Start Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

  • 10:00 CET: 20km Mass Start F, U23 Women
  • 12:30 CET: 20km Mass Start F, U23 Men

Friday, March 6: Junior 10km Interval Start Classic (More details can be found HERE)

  • 9:30 CET: 10km Interval Start C, Junior Men
  • 12:30 CET: 10km Interval Start C, Junior Women

Saturday, March 7: U23 10km Interval Start Classic (More details can be found HERE)

  • 9:30 CET: 10km Interval Start C, U23 Men
  • 12:30 CET: 10km Interval Start C, U23 Women

Sunday, March 8: Junior and U23 4x5km Relay Classic/Freestyle (More details can be found HERE and HERE)

  • 9:30 CET: 4x5km Relay Classic/Freestyle, Junior
  • 12:00 CET: 4x5km Relay Classic/Freestyle, U23

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