Cross-Country Skiing 11 February

On a crisp day in Bakuriani, the Cross-Country Skiing events of the 2025 EYOF kicked off with excitement and fierce competition. Athletes from across Europe gathered to showcase their skills in the Boys’ 7.5km Classic and Girls’ 5km Classic races. The sun shone brightly on the hard-packed snow, setting the stage for some impressive performances.

Boys’ 7.5km Classic

The standout athlete of the day was Daniel Pedranzini from Italy, who finished first with a time of 19:45.0. His consistent pace throughout the race, clocking in at 6:21.6 for the 2.5km mark and 12:57.5 at 5.0km, allowed him to secure the top position. Following closely was Finland’s Topias Vuorela, who finished second with a time of 20:01.9, just 16.9 seconds behind. France’s Victor Lafrasse took home the bronze, finishing in 20:17.1.

Key highlights included strong performances from athletes like Kalle Tossavainen from Finland and Ebbe Goransson from Sweden, who finished fourth and fifth respectively. Notably, the competition was intense, with many athletes battling for the top spots and posting competitive times.

Girls’ 5km Classic

In the girls’ event, Sweden’s Malva Nisen took the gold medal with a remarkable finishing time of 14:48.7. Her solid performance included a swift start, clocking 7:10.2 at the 2.5km mark. France’s Gaetane Breniaux secured silver, finishing at 15:20.7, while Nina Cantieni from Switzerland completed the podium in third with a time of 15:22.2.

Other notable performances came from Anouchka Neuville and Vanessa Cagnati of France and Italy, respectively, who finished fourth and fifth, both showing great form on the course.

The atmosphere in Bakuriani was filled with support and enthusiasm from fans, adding to the spirited environment. As the day concluded, the athletes left everything on the track, setting the tone for the rest of the competition. With more events to come, the excitement in the air is palpable as these young athletes strive for excellence.

Chronicle created with artificial intelligence may contain errors; consider verifying important information.