The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2003 took place February 18 – March 1, 2003 in Val di Fiemme, Italy for a second time (1991). The ski jumping team normal hill held in 2001 was not held at this championships while the women's 30 km returned after being cancelled in the previous championships due to extremely cold weather. Additionally the pursuit races went from separate races run on the same day (combined) to Skiathlon races.
Spillane is the first American to win a gold medal in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Ackermann beat Gottwald at the line to earn the silver medal.