PyeongChang 2018 Sport Weeks: Cross-country Ones to Watch

As the PyeongChang 2018 Cross-country week continues, it is time to take a look at some of the skiers they are set to take the podium by storm at this year's Paralympic Winter Games.

Ihor Reptyukh, Ukraine

He launched this season winning one silver and one bronze at the ongoing World Cup in Oberried, Germany. Ukraine’s Sochi 2014 silver medallist claimed the overall men's cross-country standing title last season with over 1,000 points amassed. He also sealed two golds at the 2017 World Championships in Finsterau, Germany.

Maksym Yarovyi, Ukraine

Started the season claiming bronze in the cross-country long distance sitting in Oberried. Yarovyi enjoyed his most successful season so far in 2016-2017, winning four world titles and finishing at the top of the cross-country World Cup overall rankings. The Sochi 2014 silver medallist seeks to win his first Paralympic title at PyeongChang 2018.

Oksana Masters, USA

Performed a clean sweep of the three cross-country events at the season’s second World Cup in Oberried, repeating what she did at Finsterau 2017. Masters also added two silvers to her World Cup medal collection in Canmore, Canada. In 2016-17, the former Paralympic rower ended first in the women’s sitting World Cup overall rankings.

Oleksandra Kononova, Ukraine

Even though she could not reach the top of the cross-country podium at the last Winter Paralympics, the Vancouver 2010 gold medallist has sealed six world titles over the last three years and will be the woman to beat in the standing category at PyeongChang 2018. She has yet to make her debut this season, possibly because she does not want to show her cards before the Winter Paralympics kick off.

Zebastian Modin, Sweden

He made his season’s debut at the ongoing Oberried World Cup, winning bronze in the men’s sprint visually impaired. Modin only came back to skiing last season after several injuries prevented him from competing on a regular basis for two years. And it was a triumphant return, as he won one gold and two silvers at the World Championships, and ended first in the cross-country World Cup overall rankings.

Carina Edlinger, Austria

The teenage talent won two bronze medals so far in Oberried. She also claimed two bronze at the first World Cup in Canmore, Canada. Edlinger only burst onto the international scene last season, winning two golds at Finsterau 2017 and finishing as the World Cup overall winner in cross-country.

The Paralympic Winter Games take place in PyeongChang, South Korea from 9-18 March. Tickets can be purchased here.