The first world titles of 2026 will be up for grabs in Padola, Italy, this weekend at the World Winter Duathlon and Triathlon Championships. Taking place on Friday 27th February, the elite winter duathlon course will consist of two 1km run laps and two 2km laps of cross-country skiing, both of which will be repeated to give four total legs over 12km.
The following day, the winter triathlon will offer a truly unique test. Here the athletes will race over two 1km laps as well as two 2km laps apiece of skiing and mountain-biking. Again, this will be repeated, giving a total of six legs covering 20km. To sign things off on Sunday, the Mixed 2x2 Relay will offer a final stab at winter glory. The conditions will be ice cold, the racing red hot. Read on to find out some of the names to watch.
Men
A distinct absence of Norwegian talent in the men’s fields removes the defending winter duathlon gold and bronze medallists, Jørgen Baklid (NOR) and Hans Christian Tungesvik (NOR), from the equation. That, however, opens the door for Oleg Chestikov (AIN), to improve on his winter duathlon silver medal from last year. As the reigning winter triathlon world champion, Chestikov will be the man to beat in both events this weekend.
Franco Pesavento (ITA) and Giuseppe Lamastra (ITA) will fly the flag for the home team. Perhaps they will enjoy a similar boost to that seen by Italian athletes at the recent Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Sebastian Neef (GER) could likewise contend for a spot on the podium in the winter duathlon event.
The same contenders will be present in the winter triathlon race. The addition of Marek Rauchfuss (CZE), bronze medallist in the winter triathlon discipline behind Chestikov and Tungesvik in 2025, will only enhance the quality of the field.
Women
One woman that will command plenty of respect on the start line is Zuzana Michalickova (SVK). Last year’s U23 champion in both formats will be hunting a maiden senior winter title. She was also the 2025 European aquathlon champion and logged 5th place finishes at the European Triathlon Championships over the sprint and standard distances. Quite the talent over any multisport variant, Michalickova will be confident of a big result.
However, she will have to somehow find a way past the defending champion Daria Rogozina (AIN). Rogozina was simply too good in Cogne last year, doubling up on winter world titles in the two disciplines. Nor did they represent her first winter world titles; she came out on top in Andorra in 2022 and 2020 as well. She therefore knows exactly what to do to win in Padola and it will take something special to dethrone her.
Lorena Erl (GER) and Aiara Garaialde Zeberio (ESP) will also eye up a medal in the winter duathlon event. Meanwhile, in the winter triathlon, Margareta Bicanova (SVK) will try to get the better of her compatriot Michalickova and force her way onto the podium.
Bicanova raced last year in Cogne and so has experience in the winter disciplines. Later in the year, she went on to place 6th at the World Long Distance Triathlon Championships in Pontevedra. Strength at the tail end of the race should therefore not be an issue for her.
As with Rauchfuss in the men’s event, Bicanova has also made the tactical decision to opt only for the one event (the winter triathlon) instead of the double, and saving her energy for Saturday could prove a decisive factor. Elisbetta Stocco (ITA) has made the same choice and will be the home team’s only hope for a senior female medal.
View the start lists for the World Winter Duathlon Championships here and the World Winter Triathlon Championships here.