What you should know about the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica

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Sunshine and a winter landscape in Planica – that's what those responsible are hoping for from the World Cup

Photo: IMAGO/PETTER ARVIDSON / IMAGO/Bildbyran

Winter is coming to an end, and so is the winter sports season.

But for the athletes in Nordic skiing, the highlight of the season is just waiting.

World championship titles are awarded in Planica in cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping.

You can find out everything you need to know about the ten days of the World Cup here.

Where will the World Cup be held?

Planica is one of the classic winter sports resorts in Europe, comparable to Zakopane in Poland, Holmenkollen in Norway or Ruhpolding in Germany - and yet for the first time the venue of a world championship.

The Slovenian town had already applied three times in vain, now it worked.

And those responsible promise the "most beautiful venue in the history of the World Cup".

At least it is one of the most traditional: Sepp Bradl made the first 100 meter jump here in 1936, and the Finn Toni Nieminen was the first athlete to jump over 200 meters on the famous ski flying hill.

Which competitions are held?

From Thursday to March 7th, a total of 24 decisions will be made.

Twelve gold medals are awarded in cross-country skiing, seven in ski jumping and five in combined.

The sprint finals in cross-country skiing for men and women start on Thursday, the women's normal hill jumping is the first decision on the hill on the same day.

The mixed competition in Nordic combined celebrates its World Championship premiere.

The 50-kilometer cross-country classic for men traditionally marks the end on March 7th.

Who are the stars?

As in biathlon, Norwegians are the measure of all things in Nordic sports.

The dominator of the Four Hills Tournament, Halvor Egner Granerud, is hoping for gold in ski jumping, while Johannes Hösflöt Kläbo has to measure up to everything on the cross-country ski run.

It is questionable whether combination star Jarl Magnus Riiber will triumph again.

He doesn't come to Planica quite fit and the competition for Austria's Johannes Lamparter has shown just how strong it is this winter.

What are the prospects for the Germans?

Not that bad.

In ski jumping, Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger picked up momentum after a weak start to the season.

A medal would not be a sensation, especially in team competitions Germany is traditionally strong.

In women's ski jumping, Katharina Althaus was one of the outstanding jumpers of the winter.

She would probably be disappointed if she went home without a medal.

Germany and Nordic combined has been a success story for many years.

This time Julian Schmid and Vincenz Geiger want to continue writing to her.

In cross-country skiing, Katharina Hennig attracted attention several times this winter, not least with her World Cup victory in the Tour de Ski.

National cross-country coach Peter Schlickenrieder has already announced that he will celebrate a podium finish at the World Championships like an Olympic medal.

Who else should you watch out for?

The only 17-year-old Nathalie Armbruster is one of the greatest talents in German skiing.

She has already been on the podium seven times this winter in Nordic combined – with nine starts.

Gold is probably reserved for Norway's Gyda Westvold Hansen, but anything is possible behind that.

Who broadcasts the World Cup?

As with the title fights in tobogganing, alpine skiing and biathlon, ARD and ZDF will be broadcast extensively.

In the first few days, it's ZDF's turn, from March 1st ARD will take over.

All competitions will also be broadcast on Eurosport.