Last year’s sprint sensation Qiang Wang misses the World Championships in Planica.

In 2022, the Chinese impressed his rivals in the Olympics and the World Cup. This year, Qiang Wang has to watch the World Championships on TV. 

“I just have to accept it,” says the 29-year-old. 

This is because China is not participating in the World Cup in cross-country skiing or the World Championships this season. The Chinese Ski Federation decided to shut down the entire cross-country project and fired the four Norwegian coaches who had signed a new four-year contract with China just a few months earlier. 

There was a massive impact on the Chinese national team skiers who were part of China’s cross-country skiing project toward the Olympics on home soil in 2022. Qiang Wang is one of them and has lost the training support and the opportunity to compete in the World Cup and the World Championships in Planica.

“I just have to accept it,” says Wang to Sportbladet. 

During the Olympics in Beijing, Wang finished ahead of everyone in the sprint quarterfinals but was later disqualified.  

A few weeks later, Wang took his first podium in the World Cup, finishing second during the city sprint in Drammen last March. 

Refuses To Give Up 

A rollerskiing race in Norway last summer is currently Wang’s last competition in Europe. Now the 29-year-old hopes to return for next season. 

“I have no plans to travel out of the country right now, but I will do so in the summer. I train every day, and I promise to come back to the World Cup next season,” says Wang, who would like to have his old coach Lars Christian Aabol back. 

“I still have good conditions for training, but not as well as in Norway,” says Wang. 

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

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 23, Thursday

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

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 24, Friday

• 15:30 Men’s Skiathlon, 15/15km

Start list, details, and results you can find here

February 25, Saturday

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here

February 26, Sunday

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

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 27, Monday 

• Day Off

February 28, Tuesday

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 1, Wednesday

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 2, Thursday 

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 3, Friday

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 4, Saturday

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 5, Sunday

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

Start list, details, and results you can find here