Haakon as Guest: Ski World Championships Opened with a Colorful Celebration

The opening ceremony of the 55th Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim brought a burst of color and Norwegian culture to the city, despite the wet and cold weather. More than 5000 spectators attended the roughly one‐hour show on the central plaza, Torvet, where medal ceremonies will be held throughout the competitions running until March 9.

Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were among those watching the festivities. FIS President Johan Eliasch officially opened the title fights at 20:37 by stating, "There is no better place than Trondheim for these World Championships. We are in for eleven great days." Several athletes opted out of competition as a precaution due to a rampant flu outbreak.

The colorful celebration featured 360 artists showcasing the culture of Norway and the province of Trøndelag. For the first time, the event will also include a Para cross-country skiing competition with two medal events. In total, over 1000 athletes from 73 nations will battle it out in ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and Nordic combined. Germany is represented by 35 athletes, continuing its strong performance from Planica two years ago, where the German team claimed three golds, six silvers, and three bronzes, finishing behind Norway and Sweden in the medal rankings.