Leader Alpiger has to pass: Northwestern Switzerland is desperately chasing Weissenstein-Krone

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Most recently it was Bruno Gisler (40) who was the only winner on Solothurn’s home mountain in 2013. A year later, Christoph Bieri (37) shared the victory with the two Bernese Matthias Aeschbacher (31) and Kilian Wenger (33). Since then, Schwing Switzerland’s second smallest sub-federation has been eagerly awaiting another victory on the mountain.

After last summer’s federal event, the euphoria at the Northwestern Swiss Wrestling Association (NWSV) was huge. Five whorls were targeted, which was quite a goal for the manageable under-union. A total of seven found their way home to northwestern Switzerland. “That’s when we sat down with the wrestlers and said: now we have to get back the Weissenstein, our mountain,” says Guido Thürig, technical director of North-West Switzerland.

The ego is scratched

Because you can’t deny it: “Yes, it strokes your ego a bit when the victory at our mountain festival always goes to another sub-association.” This year’s goal is clear: “We want to finish. And then everything is possible there.” But it won’t be easy. Of the eight active Confederates swinging for the NWSV, only three are in action on the Weissenstein. The others are injured or sick. Either from minor injuries, like Lars Voggensperger (22), who has to cancel his participation due to a cracked foot, from a cold, like Nick Alpiger (26), or from major injuries, like Adrian Odermatt (22), who tore his pectoral muscle and will miss the entire season.

In addition, this year the strongest and smallest sub-association are guests with the Bernese and the Southwest Swiss. Thürig would have preferred, for example, that the East Swiss had ridden the Weissenstein instead of the Italians. “If two large associations are at the start, they can decimate each other. But that will be difficult with the Romans.” Beating the dominant Berner will be a tough nut to crack. “You have to say: hats off. It’s impressive how after Stucki and Co. have raised such a strong new generation.”

Promising future

But the Northwest Swiss don’t have to hide either. “We have our assets. Nick Alpiger and Joel Strebel both have the potential to win a mountain festival. Of course they have to catch a perfect day. But it is possible.” After Alpiger’s short-term cancellation, only Strebel of the duo is still an option.

And then there are several hopeful young wrestlers waiting, like 18-year-old Roth twins Jan and Tim. Or Sinisha Lüscher (17), the young king from Aargau. If Weissenstein’s home win does not work out this year either, then there is certainly a hungry generation in the starting blocks.

Source : Blick