43. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Planica 2023 officially open
21. 02. 2023
The 43rd FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Planica 2023 is officially open. The spectacular opening showcased Slovenia's history as renowned Slovenian musicians performed on stage at the Medal Plaza in Kranjska Gora. The unforgettable music and dance event, which started at 20:23, showcased the best that Slovenia has to offer. On the first day of the Championship, cross-country skiers and ski jumpers tried out their skills in training.
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The opening day of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Planica 2023 was marked by the official opening ceremony at the Medal Plaza in Kranjska Gora. At 20:23, the clock counted down the start of the spectacular event, with 66 flag-bearers from the participating countries. Excellent dance and music performances by the Slovenian bands Laibach, Saša Avsenika and DJ Umeka signalled that the 43rd edition of the World Championships will go down in history in many ways.The whole event was held in a style of tenderness, strength and folkness, indicative of Slovenia's unity, especially in the sporting venues.
President of International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation FIS Johan Eliasch declared in his speech that the FIS World SKi Championships is open. The Prime Minister of Slovenia Goverment dr. Robert Golob and president of Slovenia Ski Federation and OC Pokljuka followed him on stage and thanked everybody for their involement and contribution.
Before the official flag-raising of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, cross-country skiers and ski jumpers tested the competition venues during the day in preliminary training sessions. Italy's Federico Pellegrino, currently third in the overall World Cup standings, praised the cross-country courses on his return to Planica: "It feels really good. It feels like spring has arrived. I used the day to learn as much as I could, but above all to get to know the courses. I have fond memories of this place, and running on the trails brought back memories, so it was very good."
The female ski jumpers had the pleasure of being the first to try out the smaller hill (HS102), with three jumps under the spotlight.
The long jump of the day went to Norway's Maren Lundby, who landed at 98.5 meters in the second round of jumps. Katra Komar jumped the farthest of the Slovenian girls with 96 and a half meters in the first round.
The best jumper of the day was Norway's Anna Odine Stroem, who took first place in the opening and last round. Slovenia's Ema Klinec also ended the training with a positive note, finishing third in two rounds.
The second day of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica will see the first competitive challenges as the cross-country skiers will compete in qualification rounds in the 5 and 10 km freestyle events. The Nordic combined athletes will also start their training sessions. And the women will head to the top of the small hill again for qualification ahead of Thursday's competition.
