The World Championships 2025 continues this Tuesday in Trondheim, Norway, with the 10km interval start in classic technique for men and women. Who will win gold?

Trondheim World Championships – 10km Interval Start Classic

Different conditions await the men in Trondheim as they prepare for the 10km classic race with an individual start. With Niskanen out due to illness, Norway could claim another triple podium.

But is Klæbo hungry enough for yet another gold? Or will Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget capitalize on his immense classical skiing ability?

About the 10km Interval Start

The distance was already part of the first World Championships in 1925, though back then, it was 17 or 18km. From 1954, it was shortened to 15km. Between 1991 and 1999, a 10km race was held.

The event later reverted to 15km, but this year, it returned to 10km. The reason for this change is that men and women now compete over equal distances.

The race usually alternates between classic and freestyle techniques. Simen Hegstad Krüger is the reigning champion from Planica 2023, but that race was in skating. This time, it’s a classic-style race with an individual start.

A downside is that Iivo Niskanen has fallen ill and will not be competing—he would have been a gold favorite. Another medal contender, Erik Valnes, is also struggling with a back injury.

FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS

17/18KM

• 1925 – Otakar Nemecky (Czechoslovakia)
• 1927 – John Lindgren (Sweden)
• 1929 – Veli Saarinen (Finland)
• 1930 – Arne Rustadstuen (Norway)
• 1931 – Johan Grøttumsbråten (Norway)
• 1933 – Nils-Joel Englund (Sweden)
• 1934 – Sulo Nurmela (Finland)
• 1935 – Klaes Karppinen (Finland)
• 1937 – Lars Bergendahl (Norway)
• 1938 – Pauli Pitkänen (Finland)
• 1939 – Jussi Kurikkala (Finland)
• 1950 – Karl-Erik Åström (Sweden)

15KM

• 1954 – Veikko Hakulinen (Finland)
• 1958 – Veikko Hakulinen (Finland)
• 1962 – Assar Rönnlund (Sweden)
• 1966 – Gjermund Eggen (Norway)
• 1970 – Lars-Göran Åslund (Sweden)
• 1974 – Magne Myrmo (Norway)
• 1978 – Jozef Luszczek (Poland)
• 1982 – Oddvar Brå (Norway)
• 1985 – Kari Härkönen (Finland)
• 1987 – Marco Albarello (Italy)
• 1989 – Gunde Svan (Sweden) (Freestyle)
• 1989 – Harri Kirvesniemi (Finland) (Classic)
• 1991 – Bjørn Dæhlie (Norway)

(Event not held from 1992–1999)

• 2001 – Per Elofsson (Sweden)
• 2003 – Axel Teichmann (Germany)
• 2005 – Pietro Piller Cottrer (Italy)
• 2007 – Lars Berger (Norway)
• 2009 – Andrus Veerpalu (Estonia)
• 2011 – Matti Heikkinen (Finland)
• 2013 – Petter Northug Jr. (Norway)
• 2015 – Johan Olsson (Sweden)
• 2017 – Iivo Niskanen (Finland)
• 2019 – Martin Johnsrud Sundby (Norway)
• 2021 – Hans Christer Holund (Norway)
• 2023 – Simen Hegstad Krüger (Norway)

10KM

• 1991 – Terje Langli (Norway)
• 1993 – Sture Sivertsen (Norway)
• 1995 – Vladimir Smirnov (Kazakhstan)
• 1997 – Bjørn Dæhlie (Norway)
• 1999 – Mika Myllylä (Finland)

FAVORITES

Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget (Norway)

Boosted by his silver in the skiathlon, he is perhaps Norway’s strongest classic skier. He has also won international races in this discipline. Nyenget benefits from the individual start format, as Klæbo’s sprint won’t be as decisive. He has only competed twice in World Championships.

Harald Østberg Amundsen (Norway)

Not a strong classic skier in his younger years, but last season’s World Cup overall winner has made great strides in the technique. He is also so strong and fast that he must be considered one of the top favorites.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Norway)

Perhaps Klæbo’s toughest challenge for gold. He can absolutely win, but in this race, he won’t have the advantage of his world-class sprint. The question is: after winning two golds, does he still have hunger? Is his desire for gold insatiable?

OUTSIDERS

Hugo Lapalus (France)

The Frenchman, known for his quick-stepping style, loves climbing—and there are plenty of hills in Granåsen. He showed in the skiathlon that he can keep up. Now, he doesn’t have to worry about a final sprint to the line. One of the few non-Norwegians who could pull off an upset.

Mika Vermeulen (Austria)

Didn’t keep up until the finish in the skiathlon, but the Austrian has improved significantly and cannot be counted out. He might be an even bigger threat in the 50km race than in this event.

Simen Hegstad Krüger (Norway)

The reigning champion—but in freestyle. Krüger is strong in classic skiing as well and favors individual starts. If the race were in skating, he’d be a clear podium favorite. As it stands, a medal would be a pleasant surprise.

William Poromaa (Sweden)

Seems to be Sweden’s only real medal hope. He was left alone for his country when his teammates either crashed or lost pace in the skiathlon. Poromaa took a medal in the 50km race in Planica 2023 and would be pleased to do it again in Trondheim.

Andrew Musgrave (Great Britain)

Put in an excellent classic leg in the skiathlon. Lives in Trondheim and trains on these very courses. He should also benefit from his altitude training, which will play a role in this race. However, Musgrave rarely cracks the top three internationally, even though he often delivers impressive performances.

START LIST

The start list can be found HERE

The 2025 World Championships continues this Tuesday in Trondheim, Norway. Here is the complete competition program, with the start lists and start times for the 10km interval start in classic technique.

Tuesday, March 4 (More information HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic – Women

See below the complete program for the World Championships in Trondheim, Norway.

FACTS 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships

• When: Wednesday, February 26, to Sunday, March 9, 2025
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Trondheim, Norway
• What: FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025

Wednesday, February 26 (More information HERE)

• 13:30 CET: Qualification, 7.5km Classic, Women
• 15:30 CET: Qualification, 7.5km Classic, Men

Thursday, February 27 (More information HERE)

• 10:00 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Women
• 10:52 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Men
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Finals Freestyle, Women
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Finals Freestyle, Men

Saturday, March 1 (More information HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon Classic/Freestyle, Men

Sunday, March 2 (More information HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon Classic/Freestyle, Women

Tuesday, March 4 (More information HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Interval Start Classic – Women

Wednesday, March 5 (More information HERE)

• 11:00 CET: Team Sprint Qualification Classic, Women
• 11:00 CET: Team Sprint Qualification Classic, Men
• 14:30 CET: Team Sprint Classic, Women
• 14:30 CET: Team Sprint Classic, Men

Thursday, March 6 (More information HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 4×7.5km Relay Classic/Freestyle, Men

Friday, March 7 (More information HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay Classic/Freestyle, Women

Saturday, March 8 (More information HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 50km Mass Start Freestyle, Men

Sunday, March 9 (More information HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 50km Mass Start Freestyle, Women

PROGRAM (traditional cross-country skiing program) 

Also Read: Cross-country skiing program for the Trondheim World Championships

The Nordic World Ski Championships is taking place in Trondheim, Norway, from February 26 to March 9, 2025. It promises to be the largest sporting event in Norway in 15 years, with more than 300.000 spectators expected to attend. 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.