2026 FIS World Junior/U23 Championships
Lillehammer, Norway
March 2-8, 2026
February 27th
After enjoying a lovely breakfast, we headed down to Lillehammer for a teamsprint style workout. First, we did a qualifier on the sprint course that we will be racing on Tuesday, March 2nd (Juniors), and Wednesday March 3rd (U23). After the qualifier, we were put in pairs of two based on the times from the qualifier. Then, we did a shortened version of the sprint course three times each. It was a great chance to do a hard effort on the courses and learn more about how this course skis.
Afterwards, we headed back up to our lodge in Sjusjøen for lunch. We all spent the afternoon in similar ways to the previous few days; naps, school, hanging out, or watching a show. In the evening, many of us went for a short run from the house while a few others went for an easy ski. Dinner was a traditional Swedish meal consisting of Swedish sausages, pork belly, roasted potatoes, and sauerkraut. Following the delicious meal, the team watched a movie on the big screen before heading to bed early.
By Marlie Molinaro (Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club)
February 26th
Our day started off around 7:30 AM with a delicious breakfast of yogurt, granola, fresh focaccia bread, and jams. After breakfast, the U20 women grabbed classic skis from the wax cabin across from the lodge and skied down the alpine run to the nordic stadium. We then tested our grip before heading out as a group to pre ski our interval loop. Once we were warmed up, most began a progressive interval workout of 4x(4’;4’) in the soft, new snow conditions. After finishing the workout, we skied around the stadium area for a few minutes before heading back up to the lodge.
At noon, we had yet another delicious meal prepared by chef Mathias before almost everyone began to chip away at their homework. Later in the afternoon, I ran down to the gym to meet the other U20s who were doing a light strength workout. The gym was located on the edge of the stadium and was small but very nice! After strength, we showered and ate dinner before heading to bed for the night.
By Eula Palmer-Bird (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
Results: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=CC&eventid=62427&seasoncode=2026
Previous reports from the 2026 WJC:
Update 1: https://www.crosscountrybc.ca/2026-fis-world-junioru23-championships-update-1
Update 2: https://crosscountrybc.ca/bc-athletes-2026-world-junioru23-championships-update-2
BC Athletes Competing in the 2028 World Jr/U23 Championships
Eamon Wilson (Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club, Burnaby)
Ella Fuller (Fernie Nordic Ski Club)
Eula Palmer-Bird (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, Vernon)
Finn Redman (Telemark Nordic Club, Kelowna)
Louison Dubief (Fernie Nordic Ski Club)
Madeleine Wilkie (Larch Hills Nordic Society, Salmon Arm)
Marlie Molinaro (Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club)
Raleigh Tarte (Kimberley Nordic Club)
Ruby Serrouya (Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club)
