Title: Giovani all’assalto della Val di Fiemme
Author: Elena
Company: Newspower

Press Release 22 January 2014

FIS NORDIC JUNIOR & U23 WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
VAL DI FIEMME COUNTS IT DOWN

One week left to the FIS Nordic Junior & U23 World Ski Championships in Italy
Over 600 athletes from 40 countries in XC, NC and SJ
First medals to be handed out on 28 January at the Ski Jumping stadium
Sara Takanashi (JPN), Krzysztof Biegun (POL) and Sergej Ustiugov (RUS) at the start

Val di Fiemme (Trentino - Italy) is about to host a new world event. After the XXVI Winter Universiade Trentino last December and the eventual legs of the FIS Tour de Ski at the beginning of the year, the alpine valley houses the Nordic Junior & U23 World Ski Championships for the first time ever in the area. Over 600 athletes from 40 nations will be gathering in Northern Italy from 27 January to 3 February and both XC and SJ stadiums are set for the show. 
Prediction wise, in cross country the Italian squad will attempt to grab as many medals as possible at home, but the Russian team certainly represents the most favourite one with Sergey Ustiugov recent winner in Nove Mesto na Morave (CZE) World Cup event. Ustiugov will be flanked by team mates Maltsev, plus Chervotkin, Oschepkova, Sedova, Shuniaeva and Zhambalova on women’s side.
Krzysztof Biegun of Poland is undoubtedly the ski jumping superstar at the next Nordic Junior & U23 World Ski Championships. During this season he won the opening WC race in Klingenthal at the end of November 2013 and two gold and a silver medals at the 2013 Universiade. Among women all eyes will be on Japanese teenage ski jumper from Hokkaido Sara Takanashi, who recently claimed four wins in Sapporo and Zao, her 17^th World Cup gold medal in individual career. French Coline Mattel will be also at the start.
The first medals will be handed out on 28 January at the SJ stadium in Predazzo (5 pm – HS 106 Individual), and Takanashi will be at the gate with guns blazing. 
The official opening ceremony will take place at 8.45pm on 27 January in Predazzo town centre. Further side and entertainment events are scheduled during the whole following week in Val di Fiemme.
The whole FIS Nordic Junior&U23 World Ski Championships event in Val di Fiemme will be broadcast live and delayed on Rai Sport national channels and internationally on SVT, Eurosport, NRK, WCSN and JSNA.
Info: www.fiemme2014.com