World Ski Championships Begin with a Special Performance

Originally published in Sport1 on February 26, 2025

A Special Start to the World Championships

The Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim have kicked off with the qualification of smaller cross-country skiing nations. In a notable double debut, two multi-talented athletes with inspiring backgrounds took part in the opening race.

At 13:30 local time, 45-year-old Celine Marti from Haiti, wearing bib number 1, started a 7.5 km race. Marti, who had competed in the Alpine World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm in both slalom and giant slalom just two weeks earlier, is now making her cross-country skiing debut after having participated in five alpine world championships. She put up a resilient performance, finishing with a time that left her nearly 20 minutes behind qualifier Chen Lingshuang from China, which cost her a spot in the main 10 km field scheduled for the following Tuesday.

Multi-Talents from Haiti and Brazil

Also drawing attention was 45-year-old Jacqueline Mourao from Brazil. Known for her versatility, Mourao has represented Brazil in three Olympic Games in cycling as well as in five Winter Games in cross-country skiing and biathlon. She has even had the honor of being the national flag bearer in both the 2014 Sochi and 2022 Beijing Games.

At the Granasen Ski Center – which, despite its large stands, was largely empty during the opening – excitement is expected to build over the coming days, especially with the relay races in cross-country skiing, where traditional powerhouses like Norway and Sweden are set to clash, drawing tens of thousands of fans.

In total, 25 competitions will take place at these second Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim (the last having been held in 1997), including, for the first time, two para cross-country events. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Torvet Square in downtown Trondheim.

The German team has already been given their first major medal chance in the mass start thanks to combined event competitor Nathalie Armbruster. Meanwhile, ski jumpers led by defending champion Katharina Schmid and Nordic combined athlete Vinzenz Geiger are also aiming for gold.