After 12 exciting days of Cross Country, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined action at the world-famous Swedish ski resort of Falun, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships came to an emotional and extremely successful end on Sunday, March 01,, 2015. The three major skiing disciplines were split into a total of 21 competitive events and 63 medals were on offer. 58 nations took part at Falun consisting of 701 athletes. 14 different nations won medals. Norway dominated the event with 11 Gold, 4 silver and 5 bronzes. Germany was second with 5 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze and hosts Sweden took the third spot with 2 golds, 4 silvers and 3 bronzes.
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 took place during February 18- March 01, 2015 in Falun, Sweden. This was the fourth time that Falun was awarded the event, having already had the honor of staging the prestigious event in1954, 1974 and 1993. Sweden won the host nation status after it submitted its candidature in May 2009 along with Finland, Germany and Poland. In June 2010, it was finally decided that Swedish Ski Association and the Municipality of Falun would host the 2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, while the 2017 Championships will be held in Lahti, Finland.
On Saturday, February 21, more than 45,000 fans gathered at the Lugnet Arena to cheer men and women stars taking part in Cross Country skiathlon and the Ski Jumping normal hill. In a great international atmosphere, the ski stars began their show in front of fans from Finland, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, France, Norway and Sweden. The female star of the day was Norwegian Therese Johaug, who won the gold in ladies’ skiathlon. Another Norwegian Astrid Uhrenholt Jacobsen took silver while the bronze was taken by Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla. In the men’s skiathlon, Russia’s Maxim Vylegzhanin won the gold, Switzerland’s Dario Cologna won the silver and Canadian Alex Harvey took the bronze. Unlike the ladies skiathlon, where the field broke apart immediately at start, the men’s group continued in a cluster with a dozen skiers still left until the final stages. At the last lap on killer hill, reigning champion Dario Cologna made a valiant attempt but the Russian had his way. In ski jumping that lasted until the next day, in men’s competition, Severin Freund stood up to the pressure and secured the gold for Germany. Norway got silver and the bronze went to Japan.
With great beginning in the coveted Cross Country event, Therese Johaug and Charlotte Kalla kept their form in further events as the championships progressed. In all Johaug won three golds and Kalla’s total medal count was four. On men’s side, Norway’s Petter Northug won four golds and Sweden’s Johan Olsson finished with the gold, silver and a bronze. Northug’s fine effort in relay ensured that Norway won the eighth straight World Championships gold. Sweden took the silver and France had bronze.
After his super performance in Ski Jumping, Severin Freund went on to win one more gold and a silver. Norway’s Rune Velta had a memorable World Championships in earning medals of each color that included two golds after leading Norway to the team event title. Germany’s Carina Vogt won both gold medals on offer in women’s competitions. France and Germany shared the honours in Nordic Combined with Johannes Rydzek claiming a medal in all four Nordic Combined events. He won the gold in normal hill individual Gundersen, in addition to ensuring Germany’s first Team Event gold medal in 28 years. Frenchman Jason Lamy-Chappuis won gold in the large hill individual competition and led his country to glory in the team sprint.
In all, 14 nations finished with medal honors. Quite expectedly, Norwegians led in all disciplines and finished with a medal tally of 20, including 11 golds. Germany was second with 5 golds out of total of eight and hosts Sweden was placed third with 2 golds, 4 silvers and 3 bronzes. The athletes were greatly helped by the unusually good Swedish weather during the two weeks and only one competition needed postponement on the first day. Apart from competitions, the organizers ensured that the atmosphere remained festive. The Organising Committee CEO Sven von Holst was highly satisfied as the committee could create an event, where skiers and spectators could be integrated in a commendable celebratory spirit.
