Racing for the Nordic World Championships in Planica
Tue, Mar 18, 2025 - By Ricardo Lung
Firstly, it was my wife’s idea for me to represent Panama in the next Winter Olympics for XC skiing, not mine.
Initially, I hadn’t warmed up to the idea, but the more I thought about it, I started to see good reasons to give it a shot:
- This would give young athletes in my birthplace of Panama a blueprint to qualify for the future Winter Olympics in XC skiing. I would introduce them to roller skiing, which they have probably never heard of.
- Also, what an opportunity to see the Winter Olympics with essentially a backstage pass (from an athlete's perspective)!
I had just started to XC ski but had 3 years to train and improve my technique. Andy Liebner (former 2011 Collegiate U.S. National Skier of the Year, Olympic coach to multiple XC Ski athletes representing Peru, Mexico, and Chile) created a training plan for me and provided coaching.
I was seeing improvements each year in the local ski races I attended. But COVID hit in the year I needed to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Qualifying was virtually impossible because so many FIS races were canceled in Canada and Alaska or unavailable to out-of-staters (Vermont only allowed in-state athletes).
So, I had to “lower” my sights for the 2023 Nordic World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. Most people might not know that the qualifying bar for the World’s is lower than for the Winter Olympics. So I would have a better shot at qualifying for this event.
Plancia, Slovenia
Qualifying for Worlds
In Dec 2022, I went to Anchorage, Alaska, to compete in an FIS race that could get me the points I needed to qualify for Worlds. The event was a 15k classic race in Kincaid Park. The morning of the race was cold, 6F. I was there with a couple of buddies representing Israel and Mexico. The course was challenging…the most demanding ski course I’ve ever raced, with tons of climbing and scary downhills. Lower Michigan just doesn’t have race courses like this!
Getting qualifying points in Alaska
Getting qualifying points in Alaska
I finished my race and did some math, and I was relieved to know that I had done well enough to meet the minimum qualification standard to attend the World Championships in February. I had the points I needed! The bonus was meeting the one and only Kikkan Randall, who lives in Anchorage. Also, the night skiing in Kincaid Park was magical but watch out for the moose on the trail!
Moose on the ski trail
Meeting Kikkan Randall
Night skiing
Girdwood
Planning for Slovenia
Soon after I arrived home from Alaska, I had to plan for the trip to Slovenia. I decided to make it a family vacation, so my wife and two boys would meet me there. I left early to get situated and allow for more time on the course.
We planned to stay in Villach, Austria, 30 minutes from the event in Planica, Slovenia. Very picturesque.
Villach, Austria
Every athlete at the World’s is given 3 VIP passes intended for the athlete’s support roles, such as a coach, masseuse, team doctor, etc. Since I was ‘The Team’, I gave my family these passes. This essentially allowed us backstage for all the events and free food!
VIP
Another cool thing is that athletes received multiple bibs for the event. There’s the race bib which you get on race day. The practice bib must be worn while on the course and not while racing. The practice bib fits a bit bigger to accommodate your warm-up jacket. Then there are bibs for the other support roles on the course, such as food or backup poles. These bibs have an even more oversized fit to fit over proper winter coats.
Multiple bibs
The 2022 Nordic Worlds was held at the Planica Nordic Centre in the Triglav National Park valley. I arrived early to get familiar with the course and get some last-minute training.
Nordic Centre
The athletes’ changing rooms were located in the basement of the facility. The small nations like Panama had to share a room, unlike the more prominent nations like the USA, Norway, Sweden, etc.
Changing room
Changing room
I finished changing, got my gear, and walked up the long stairs to the start-finish area where the stadium was. It was a beautiful, cloudless morning and around mid-high 20’s. I looked around to see the other skiers on the course, and it was surreal to see the pro teams practicing. I’ve watched them over the years, and to now see them walking and skiing around right in front of me. It was very intimidating, to say the least!
Stadium
Planica sign.
Panama flag
Race day
My race was a 15k Qualifying Race. Only the top 10 of my race could start with the pros in the official race a few days later. I had no illusions that I could break into the top 10 since my main goal was simply qualifying to attend Worlds.
I’m warming up a bit before my start time, which is less than 10 minutes. Got to sign the famous glass board. I look around and see someone I recognize from XC skiing. Holy cow, it’s Martin Sundby, and he’s now a commenter for a Norwegian sports channel. I realize I may never have this opportunity again, so I introduce myself and shake his hand. I tell him he was a monster back in the day (not like he needed to know) and that I’m happy to meet him. He tells me to come back after my race for an interview.
I’m now in the start area and watching the timer to know when I can go. I’m trying to figure out where to plant my poles so as to not trip up on the start bar. I remember that the conditions were very warm that day, above 32F.
Race start
I’m finally off! Even though the snow was warm and slow, the downhill turns were terrifying. I enter the stadium after finishing the 1st of two laps. Specific muscles in my legs are now beginning to cramp while doing V1, probably from overuse since it’s pretty flat back home, and they rarely get used.
Action shot!
My race is finished, and I’m glad it’s done. My heart rate was just about pegged the entire time, and there was never a time I could relax because of the soft conditions and the crazy downhill turns. And I thought the Alaska race course was challenging. This course was definitely another level harder.
Heart rate graph
After your race, the athletes are funneled through an area of international journalists and TV. I remember my promise to Martin to stop by for an interview. We did the interview (I did four other interviews, too). I realized the interest was not from my amazing skiing ability (obviously!) but my age and the country I was representing. It turns out I was THE oldest athlete there at 52yo.
Martin Johnsrud Sundby
Just walking outside the stadium, I caught a who’s who of pro XC skiing. Passing Jonna Sundling in the stairway up the start-finish area, walking by a fast-moving Theresa Johag who seemed on a mission to get somewhere fast, seeing Frida Karlsson taking a break to sunbathe. I also came across the Swedish National Team to get a selfie. Pretty cool.
Swede Team
This was an adventure of a lifetime, and I’m glad I saw it through (thanks to Warren and Andy). Hope you all enjoyed the write-up. I’ve decided to take a couple of seasons off to focus on the family. I’m sure I’ll see you out on the trail next season. Cheers!
Family picture!