Dominant Performances Mark the Opening Day of the 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships
The 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships kicked off in thrilling fashion at the Le Carreley sports complex in Bessans, setting the stage for intense competition and remarkable athleticism. Cross-country skiing individual classic took center stage on Day 1, with athletes showcasing their skill, endurance, and determination in pursuit of championship glory.
In the II1 category, competitors skiing under the neutral banner delivered commanding performances across both the men’s and women’s races, sweeping the podium in multiple events.
Winners of Men’s II1 (L) and winners of Women’s II1 individual race at Bessans 2025. Photo Credit: Geoffrey Wahlen
Volegov Ivan stormed to victory with an impressive time of 29:06.98, securing the gold medal with an outstanding display of speed and stamina. His compatriot, Sorokin Aleksandr, followed closely behind, clocking 29:55.45 to claim silver. The host nation’s pride, Dubois Titouan, fought hard to secure bronze, finishing at 30:09.94 and ensuring France made its mark on the podium.
Guber Irina put on a dominant performance in the women’s race, crossing the finish line with an exceptional time of 17:00.96 to take home the gold. Her teammate, Kashevarova Alina, followed in 20:11.27, securing silver. The battle for bronze was intense, with Sweden’s Bjoerfeldt Kristin clinching the third spot at 20:12.94, just fractions of a second behind.
Winners of Men’s II2 (L) and champion of Men’s II3 individual race at Bessans 2025. Photo Credit: Geoffrey Wahlen
In the Men’s II2 category, France’s Colomby Clement delivered a powerhouse performance, outpacing the competition with a winning time of 21:50.60. Italian skiers Kostenr Tobia Maria (28:29.85) and Oltolina Mattia (32:13.28) took silver and bronze, respectively, completing an all-European podium.
The Men’s II3 event saw another triumph for the host nation, as Clement Richard, the sole competitor in the category, crossed the finish line at 30:23.83, proudly adding another gold to France’s tally.
“I am very happy with my race results. I compared my results to the II1 Men’s, and I would be standing fourth in that category, which is amazing for me,” Clement told Virtus.
With an exhilarating start to the 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships, the competition promises more high-energy races and inspiring moments. As athletes continue to push their limits, all eyes remain on Bessans for what is set to be an unforgettable championship.
For full results, visit the competition website.
