Following the designation some time ago of Lenzerheide, in the southeast of Switzerland, as the host of the FISU 2024 University World Championship Ski Orienteering, with just about a month to go, 150 competitors from over 15 countries are expected.

The first of the 23 World Championships organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) will take place in southeastern Switzerland from January 10th to 17th. The World Championship Ski Orienteering will feature athletes from around the world, born between early 1999 and late 2006. 

Around 150 competitors from more than 15 countries will be present in the charming tourist village of Lenzerheide in the Arosa region, marking the start of the FISU World Championships in 2024. They will compete in three individual races and a relay sprint race. The races will be held at the Roland Arena, approximately five kilometers from the center of the village of Lenzerheide. 

Thanks to the multifunctional architecture of the building, the arena has become a well-known sports meeting point and a gathering place for elite and junior athletes, recreational athletes, clubs, and sports associations. In 2015, the Roland Arena hosted the European Ski Orienteering Championships, and in 2023, it hosted the European Biathlon Championships. 

Furthermore, in 2025, at this important sports center, the IBU Biathlon World Championships will take place in Lenzerheide.

The 2022 FISU World University Championships Ski in Jachymov. WUSOC Media
The 2022 FISU World University Championships Ski in Jachymov. WUSOC Media

At the last edition in 2022 in Jachymov, Czech Republic, Switzerland's Nicola Müller was the best men's finisher with a time of 47:23 over 11.2km, closely followed by Sweden's Rasmus Wickbom (47:24) and Norway's Jorgen Baklid (48:07).

On the women's side, Switzerland dominated the 8.5 race, with Eliena Deininger (42:46) winning in the same time as her compatriot Alina Niggli (born in 2003 and one of the youngest of the 27 competitors); Lithuania's Judita Traubaite was third (42:55).

Jorgen Baklid won the 6.9km pursuit (28:14), with Wickbom taking silver (28:49) and Müller third (28:51). In the women's 5.3km, Russia's Marina Viatkina (24:07) and Olesia Riazanova (24:40) took the top two spots, with Norway's Jenny Baklid third (25:43).

In the men's sprint, Baklid was the best over 3.3km (12:00), followed by Wickbom (12:14) and Müller (12:18); Riazanova was first over 2.5km (10:13), Viarkina silver (10:19) and Baklid third (10:42). Finally, Artemi Dorma and Riaanova won gold for Russia in the mixed relay (49:12), followed by Sweden (49:58) and Switzerland (50:43).