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

Trondheim World Championships – 10km Interval Start Classic

Therese Johaug and Frida Karlsson are the main favorites in the women’s World Championships. And they could once again take center stage in the 10km classic race in Trondheim.

But this race will come down to hitting the right form on the day, choosing the right skis, and executing the right race strategy. Frida Karlsson got it right in Ruka. Therese Johaug has won this distance three times before.

About the Event

The 10km race was the first event for women in the World Championships. Initially, the Soviet Union dominated completely, but in recent years, Norway has taken over more and more.

Russia had a strong period in the 1990s, but many of its athletes were later caught doping. For a time, the World Championships also included a 5km race, but that was discontinued after the 1999 World Championships in Ramsau.

The reigning champion in this event is Jessie Diggins, but she won in freestyle and will face a tougher challenge in classic technique this time. Most expect a battle between Sweden and Norway. That could be the case, but watch out for the outsiders we have listed below.

PAST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

10KM

• 1954 – Ljubov Kozyreva, Soviet Union
• 1958 – Alevtina Koltschina, Soviet Union
• 1962 – Alevtina Koltschina, Soviet Union
• 1966 – Klavdiya Boyarskikh, Soviet Union
• 1970 – Alevtina Olyunina, Soviet Union
• 1974 – Galina Kulakova, Soviet Union
• 1978 – Zinaida Amosova, Soviet Union
• 1982 – Berit Aunli, Norway
• 1985 – Anette Bøe, Norway
• 1987 – Anne Jahren, Norway
• 1989 – Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi (Hämäläinen), Finland (classic)
• 1991 – Elena Välbe, Soviet Union

1992-99 – Not held

• 2001 – Bente Skari, Norway
• 2003 – Bente Skari, Norway
• 2005 – Katerina Neumannová, Czech Republic
• 2007 – Katerina Neumannová, Czech Republic
• 2009 – Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, Finland
• 2011 – Marit Bjørgen, Norway
• 2013 – Therese Johaug, Norway
• 2015 – Charlotte Kalla, Sweden
• 2017 – Marit Bjørgen, Norway
• 2019 – Therese Johaug, Norway
• 2021 – Therese Johaug, Norway
• 2023 – Jessica Diggins, USA

5KM

• 1962 – Alevtina Koltschina, Soviet Union
• 1966 – Alevtina Koltschina, Soviet Union
• 1970 – Galina Kulakova, Soviet Union
• 1974 – Galina Kulakova, Soviet Union
• 1978 – Helena Takalo, Finland
• 1982 – Berit Aunli, Norway
• 1985 – Anette Bøe, Norway
• 1987 – Marjo Matikainen, Finland

1989 – Not held

• 1991 – Trude Dybendahl, Norway
• 1993 – Larissa Lazutina, Russia
• 1995 – Larissa Lazutina, Russia
• 1997 – Elena Välbe, Russia
• 1999 – Bente Martinsen (Skari), Norway

FAVORITES

Frida Karlsson (Sweden)

The top pick—though with some hesitation—is Frida Karlsson. She was dominant in the season opener in Ruka, where she crashed the competition. If she delivers a race like that again—something only Frida can do—she will take the gold. But it all depends on her form on the day.

Therese Johaug (Norway)

Norway’s ski queen is back and can win at any distance except sprint. Whether the 10km classic is her best chance remains to be seen. She won World Championships gold in this event in 2013, 2019, and 2021, but the margins are slim, and everything needs to align perfectly for her to take another title.

Victoria Carl (Germany)

A contender flying under the radar in the Norway-Sweden battle. Victoria Carl has won in Granåsen before—this is where she claimed her first World Cup victory. A former multiple Junior World Champion, she is strong, but the question is whether she can handle the steep climbs. She is a powerful skier but might not have the same tempo as Johaug in those sections.

OUTSIDERS

Astrid Øyre Slind (Norway) – Has had an impressive season, gaining strength from Ski Classics over the past years. Knows the Granåsen course better than most and is fully capable of fighting for gold.

Ebba Andersson (Sweden) – Not in the same form as in Planica 2023 but has the capacity. Won in Falun, though some top competitors were missing there. Prefers individual starts since she lacks a strong finishing sprint.

Kerttu Niskanen (Finland) – A superb classic skier who isn’t getting as much attention as Karlsson and Johaug, which suits her well. A serious threat to the podium.

Teresa Stadlober (Austria) – Has improved throughout the season. A classic specialist with plenty of experience. Will fight hard but often finishes just off the podium.

Heidi Weng (Norway) – Has been on the podium multiple times this season. Benefits from an individual start format and has the experience to possibly grab a medal.

Katharina Hennig (Germany) – Another German contender but was out early in the season due to illness. If she has regained her top form, she can be among the top contenders.

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.