Fifth for Smith in Women’s Sprint Classic at 2025 Junior World Championships

Following her fifth place finish in the Women’s Sprint Classic at the 2025 FIS Cross Country Junior & U23 World Championships in Schilpario, Italy, SVSEF XC Gold Team and U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete Sammy Smith was called up to compete in this past weekend’s FIS Cross Country World Cup presented by Coop. Smith competed in the Classic Sprint and the Freestyle Distance 20 km Mass Start, held Feb. 14-16 in Falun, Sweden.  

“It was great to see Sammy competing in Falun and being right in the mix,” said Peter Holmes, SVSEF XC Gold Team Head Coach. “She had a great sprint qualifier and made it as far as the quarter finals. She is one of the hardest working athletes I have ever seen. It is exciting to see that work pay off as the season continues and she has more opportunities to race.”

In the lead up to Falun, Smith competed in the Junior events at the Junior/U23 World Championships. Smith is currently a freshman at Stanford University, and this will be her final year as a Junior—she will move into the U23 class next season.

“Junior/U23 World Championships is one of my favorite events,” said Smith’s XC Gold Team Coach, Peter Holmes. “Being able to be there and work with Sammy has been incredible the last two years. This year we were both hoping for a lot and we’re really close to winning this sprint. Nonetheless, Sammy had some really good days that I’m super proud of. The waxing conditions were super tough, and myself, along with the rest of the tech team, worked super hard to provide the best skis possible for all the athletes. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s tough to compete with the waxing staff and budget of Norway. Next year Sammy moves into the U23 class and I have high hopes for her to find a lot of success not only at U23 world champs but in all her ski racing endeavors.”

FIS Cross Country Junior & U23 World Championships, Schilpario, Italy (Feb. 3-9, 2025)

Women’s Sprint Classic Junior (Feb. 3)

5th – Sammy Smith – USA – Qualification. (Top 30 move on to the Heats)

Women’s Sprint FINAL Classic – Junior (Sammy made it through all the heats to the final). (Feb. 3)

5th – Sammy Smith – USA – Final Sprint 

Women’s 20 Km Mass Start Classic Junior (Feb. 5)

14th – Sammy Smith – USA

Women’s 10km Interval Start Freestyle Junior (Feb. 7)

8th – Sammy Smith – USA

Mixed 4 x 5 Km Relay CC+FF Junior (Feb. 9)

11th – Sammy Smith, 4  TEAM USA – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Classic – FLOWERS Cole M / Classic -INGELFINGER Maeve W / F WILMOT Lucas M / F SMITH Sammy W 

For complete Junior & U23 World Championships results, please visit:

https://jwsc2025.it/risultati/ 

FIS Cross Country World Cup presented by Coop, Falun, Sweden (Feb. 14-16, 2025)

Women’s Sprint Qualification Classic

14th – Sammy Smith (3rd American). Top 30 make it into the Heats and compete for the overall sprint title.  

Women’s Sprint Final Classic (Heats)

30th – Sammy Smith (3rd American)

Women’s 20km Mass Start Free

38th – Sammy Smith (6th American)

For complete Falun World Cup results, please visit: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=CC&eventid=55854&seasoncode=2025