Pellegrino Claims Seventh World Medal in Sprint, Only Behind Klaebo at 34

Federico Pellegrino, one of Italy’s most prolific cross-country skiers, added another illustrious chapter to his career by winning the silver medal in the sprint (free technique) at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway. At 34 years old, Pellegrino’s seventh world medal came in a fiercely contested race in the country that lives and breathes cross-country skiing. He delivered a meticulously planned performance – finishing fourth in the qualifiers, winning his quarterfinal, and coming in second during the semifinals before executing his strategy flawlessly in the final.

During the race, Pellegrino started strong and maintained a calculated pace. In the final stretch he pushed hard to challenge the dominant Norwegian, Johannes Klaebo, who entered the race with an impressive record of 11 world titles. Although Pellegrino surged ahead momentarily, Klaebo managed to keep a 1-second lead, ultimately claiming the gold with a time of 2’45"74. Pellegrino finished just 0.67 seconds behind, with Lauri Vuorinen taking bronze, followed by competitors from France and the Czech Republic.

Reflecting on his performance, Pellegrino expressed pride in having secured the oldest medal among Italy’s collection at both the World Championships and the Olympics. He credited his result to both physical strength and mental discipline, noting that the key decisive moment came just before the last curve when he gained extra speed. The article also outlines Pellegrino’s impressive career — having made his world debut in 2011 at Oslo-Holmenkollen at the age of 21, and accumulating an impressive record of 16 World Cup wins and 38 podium finishes. Off the snow, the article delves into his personal life, mentioning his roots in the Aosta Valley, his marriage to former top sprinter Greta Laurent, and his achievements as a family man.

In addition to the men’s race, the article touches on the women’s sprint event where Swedish skier Jonna Sundling claimed gold with a time of 2’13", ahead of Norway’s Kristine Skistad and Swiss competitor Nadine Faehndrich. This comprehensive feature not only celebrates Pellegrino’s enduring legacy but also situates his achievement in the broader context of international cross-country skiing at the highest level.