Australian Cross Country Ski Team ready for World Championships

Snow Australia have announced a team of five cross country skiers to compete for Australia at the 2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships taking place in Planica, Slovenia from 23 February to 5 March.

Amongst the group are three-time Olympian Phillip Bellingham, who is competing at his fifth World Championships, and Beijing 2022 Olympians Seve de Campo and Lars Young Vik.

They are joined by Phoebe Cridland and Ellen Soehol Lie who both made their World Cup debuts late last year.

De Campo comes into the event after gold and silver medals at the recent Austrian National Championships, which has given him confidence leading into the event. 

“We didn't have huge expectations at the Austrian Champs as we were using them as good quality training races ahead of the World Champs, but the fact that I had a really strong showing there gives me confidence all is going well and I can race my fastest in Planica,” he said. 

De Campo has set himself an individual goal to be in the top 50, while targeting a strong showing in the Team Sprint. 

“My goal is to ski technically better than at previous major events,” said de Campo “I've been skiing faster than ever this season so I want to be diligent with my preparation and have my absolute best showing.

“The freestyle 15km individual will have well over 100 competitors; if I can ski top 50 there that would be great.

“It will be fun to see if we can upset the Great Britain team in the Team Sprint. We came close in Beijing and at the World Champs in 2021.” 

De Campo has high hopes for his teammates who have had good results on the international scene this season. 

“The team is looking fit,” said de Campo. “Ellen Lie and Phoebe Cridland had a great season start at the World Cup in Norway in December, and have been completing their final preparation in Norway as well.

“Lars has been sprinting really well this season and has a real shot at a top 30 heats qualification in the Classic Sprint event. 

“Myself and Lars will be hoping to make the Team Sprint final on the 26th [of February].

“Then we have Phil Bellingham who will be looking to revisit that top 30 sprinting form from last time he raced in Planica in 2018.”

Bellingham has split his focus this season between cross country racing and the new Olympic sport of Ski Mountaineering, also known as SkiMo. He will race the Sprint and 30km Skiathlon events in Planica, before heading across to the SkiMo World Championships in Spain.

Australian Cross Country Head Coach, Alexei Sotskov describes the event as “the pinnacle of the Cross Country ski racing of the world.” 

“Everyone racing has spent many years of 800-plus hours of year-round training in preparation for this event, and our team is no different.” said Sotskov. “As a coach, I am confident we have done everything we could to get to Planica in the best competitive shape we could.

“With that said, this Championship is only a step toward our main goal - to be the most competitive at the next Olympic Games in Italy in 2026.

“As a team, we very much appreciate the support and promise to represent our community the best we can and with pride.”

Australian athletes will contest the Classic Sprint, Skiathlon, Freestyle Team Sprint, 10/15km Freestyle and 30/50km Classic races. 

To find out more information on the event go here.

2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
23 Feb-5 Mar
Planica SLO

Australian Team
Phoebe Cridland (NSW)
Ellen Soehol Lie (Heming IL)
Phillip Bellingham (VIC, BNSC)
Seve de Campo (ACT, ACTAS)
Lars Young Vik (SK Njård, Fossum Elite)

Support staff
Head Coach - Alexei Sotskov
Team Manager - Victoria Sotskov
Head wax technician - Fabian Mauz
Lead wax technician - Toni Escher
Plus additional assistants - Leopold, Jonas, Lukas and Nina