The 2018 World Cup season opens in three weeks with the traditional Scandinavian swing, and early form suggests this could be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
Defending Champions Face Pressure
Last year’s overall winners enter with targets on their backs. The sprint discipline, in particular, looks wide open after several retirements and a new generation reaching peak performance.
The depth in the women’s field is unprecedented — any of eight athletes could realistically win individual rounds.
Nordic Dominance Under Threat?
For the first time in years, serious challenges to Scandinavian supremacy are emerging from Central Europe and beyond. New training partnerships and coaching innovations have raised the technical level globally.
Technology’s Growing Role
GPS analysis and video review have become standard across elite teams, but implementation varies dramatically. Some federations have embraced data-driven approaches, while others stick to traditional methods.
The season opens September 25-26 in Sweden, followed by Norway and Finland. The middle distance season culminates with World Championships in August.
The opening races will provide early answers to these questions, but if training reports are accurate, fans are in for a treat this season.
Key Dates
- September 25-26: Season opener, Sweden
- October 15-17: Sprint championship weekend, Czech Republic
- August 10-17: World Championships, Estonia
Early entries suggest record participation numbers, with several nations fielding larger squads than in previous years.