Jorgen Baklid and Daria Rogozina Triumph at Winter Duathlon World Championship

The 2025 Winter Duathlon World Championships captivated audiences worldwide as elite athletes showcased their skills in the stunning setting of Cogne, Italy, nestled in the heart of the Aosta Valley. After nearly three years away from competitive racing, Independent Neutral Athlete Daria Rogozina returned in spectacular fashion, seizing the women’s world title. Meanwhile, Norwegian athlete Jorgen Baklid triumphed in the men’s race, delivering an exceptional performance that highlighted his burgeoning talent.

The Championships unfolded over three thrilling days, following in the tradition of previous prestigious events hosted in this picturesque winter resort. Last year, Pragelato welcomed the Winter Triathlon World Championships, setting a high bar for this year’s duathlon event.

Women’s Event Highlights

In a race format that demanded both speed and endurance, the Elite, U23, and Junior athletes tackled a grueling course that comprised two laps of 1 km running, followed by two laps of 2 km skiing, culminating in a total of 4 km of running and 8 km of skiing. The athletes faced not just their opponents, but also the biting cold and challenging conditions that tested their resolve.

Neutral Athlete Daria Rogozina emerged victorious in Cogne, further cementing her reputation as a formidable contender. A three-time winter triathlon world champion (2018, 2019, 2022) with a bronze medal from 2021, Rogozina demonstrated resilience as she made her return to the competitive scene, having been declared a Neutral Athlete just days before the race. Her last appearance was in 2022, making this victory all the more poignant.

Norway’s Ine Skjellum, who claimed silver and was the previous year’s Duathlon World Champion, showcased an impressive performance during the running segments, but found it challenging to match Rogozina’s pace in the skiing phase. The bronze medal went to Helena Karásková from the Czech Republic, a consistent figure in cross triathlon and cross duathlon events, proving her mettle yet again.

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The race began with a tightly packed group of 17 women entering the transition zone together, a testament to their collective speed and skill. However, drama unfolded when Skjellum, momentarily confused, mistakenly headed to transition before realising she had to complete another loop. This costly misstep put her at a disadvantage as she tried to regain her position among the frontrunners.

Rogozina quickly established herself in the skiing segment, posting the fastest split by nearly 20 seconds. This gap proved insurmountable as competitors re-entered the running leg. Skjellum and teammate Kristin Waaktaar Opland took command of the chase group alongside Karásková, yet Karásková’s superior skiing allowed her to make a strategic advance into the bronze medal position.

As the race neared its conclusion, Rogozina celebrated a spectacular victory, finishing an impressive 40 seconds ahead of Skjellum, who crossed the line with palpable joy in second place. Karásková secured the bronze, while Natalie Brlicova (CZE) and Austria’s Carina Wasle completed the top five, highlighting the depth of talent present in the competition.

Men’s Event Highlights

The men’s competition proved just as exhilarating as Baklid led the charge for Norway at the Winter Duathlon World Championships. The Cogne event showcased Baklid’s comprehensive skill set, inspiringly executing both running and skiing segments to claim his first world title. His teammate, Hans Christian Tungesvik, finished strongly in third, showcasing Norway’s depth in this discipline, while Oleg Chestikov (AIN) shone through to take the silver medal.

Cogne, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, provided the perfect backdrop for the opening day of competition, where Junior, U23, and Elite athletes pursued the coveted Winter Duathlon world titles. Conditions were ideal at the cross-country ski resort, setting the stage for a dramatic contest.

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Local favourite Franco Pesavento, last year’s world champion, set an aggressive pace right from the start, achieving a remarkable run split of 7:02 for the challenging 2 km segment on slippery snow. Unfortunately, even this impressive effort was insufficient to fend off the leading pack of skiers.

As the competitors transitioned onto the skiing leg, Romania’s Viorel Palici briefly claimed first place, flanked by a strong contingent of Norwegian athletes, all seasoned cross-country ski competitors. However, it was during the second transition phase that dramatic shifts occurred. Chestikov and Ivan Zalavtsev (AIN) cleverly retained their ski boots, executing the transition almost 15 seconds faster than their Norwegian and Italian counterparts.

Approaching the final run segment, Baklid retained a slender 10-second lead that proved just enough for him to maintain his position all the way to the finish line. Chestikov fought valiantly to hold second place, while Tungesvik executed a phenomenal final push, navigating past Palici and his teammate Jon Sæverås Breivold to secure bronze.

The championship not only showcased the raw talent of its participants but served as a poignant reminder of resilience, determination, and the spirit of competition inherent in adaptive sports. Athletes like Rogozina and Baklid frame the narrative of what it means to compete at the highest levels, igniting inspiration for fans and aspiring athletes alike. Their performances echo the tenacity found at the heart of the Paralympic movement, where every second counts and every effort is celebrated.

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