Virtus World Nordic Ski Championships 2026 Kicks Off In Kazakhstan
The 2026 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships kicked off today in the city of Shchuchinsk (Akmola region), Kazakhstan, at the Winter Sports Olympic Training Centre.
The Championships will bring together 43 participants, representing the international community of sport for people with intellectual impairments, including athletes who will be competing across three categories: II1, II2 and II3.
Dina Temirgaliyeva delivering a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships. Photo Credit: ski_centrelife
“This Virtus Championships is already the fourth international event in the last three years that we are organising in Kazakhstan. Hosting this competition in our country carries special historical significance. Virtus is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. We are proud of the work Virtus has done so far in developing sports for athletes with an intellectual impairment around the world. And, we are very happy that this Championship in Shchuchinsk is taking place in the anniversary year of the Virtus movement and becomes a part of the global agenda for the development of inclusive sport.”
“These Championships also have strategic importance for the further advancement of the inclusion of the intellectual impairment class into the programme of the next Winter Paralympic Games in 2030 in France. Hosting high-level international events demonstrates that countries and federations are ready to expand the representation of athletes with intellectual impairments in winter disciplines”, said Ian Conyers, Virtus Governing Board member.
This is a historic event for the Republic of Kazakhstan as the country is hosting their first Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships, bringing together athletes from different countries around the globe.
The Championships are aimed at developing inclusive sport, promoting the principles of equal opportunity and strengthening international sports cooperation. Hosting this tournament reaffirms Kazakhstan’s commitment to the values of accessible sport and social inclusion.
Neutral athletes dominate the podium in the 10km Freestyle race
Day 1 of the 2026 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships saw strong performances in the 10km freestyle race across all competition classes.
Winners of the II1 Women’s 10km race (left) and the II1 Men’s 10km race at the 2026 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships. Photo Credit: ski_centrelife
In the II1 men’s category, Russian athletes dominated the podium, with Ivan Volegov taking gold in 26:48.1, followed closely by Aleksandr Sorokin in 26:48.7, and Aleksandr Charushnikov securing bronze in 27:09.9.
The II2 women’s race was also led by Russian athletes. Irina Guber claimed gold with a time of 31:49.1, while Alina Kashevarova and Victoria Konovalova completed the podium in second and third place respectively.
Clément Colomby (left) and Clément Richard (right), winners of Ii2 and II3 Men’s 10km race.
In the II2 category, Clément Colomby of France delivered a strong performance to take first place.
In the II3 category, Clément Richard of France secured gold, rounding off an exciting opening day of competition.
