Although everybody's attention has already switched to 2003 and to the World Cup races preceding the World Championships, the memories of organisers and fans often turn back to 1991, to the unforgettable experience of Val di Fiemme Nordic Ski World Championships.
Participants that year were 364 altogether, representative of 27 countries. Predictably, the lion's share went to Northern European teams. Norway conquered 10 medals of which five gold, three silver and two bronze medals, followed by the ex Soviet Union and Sweden with eight medals each - four gold, two silver and two bronze medals the first, two gold, five silver and one bronze medals the latter. Italy broke the top three with a silver medal won in the 4x5 relay by Bice Vanzetta, Manuela Di Centa, Gabriella Paruzzi and Stefania Belmondo, and four bronze medals conquered by Stefania Belmondo (15 km classic), Manuela Di Centa (5 km classic, 30 km classic) and Maurilio De Zolt (50 km freestyle).