Where can Switzerland celebrate?: These are our greatest winter assets
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Cross-country skiing: Sprint specialist Nadine Fähndrich is once again chasing the overall World Cup in her division.
Marco Pescio, Nina Kopfer And Mattias Dubach
Cross-country skiing
Nadine Fähndrich (28) used the first year after the resignation of Dario Cologna (37) to make a real announcement. She claimed three World Cup victories in her showpiece event, the sprint – and only missed out on the small crystal ball due to a nasty team order from the Swedes in the final race. This winter (without the World Cup and without the Olympic Games) she is chasing the trophy again. Her sprint colleagues Janik Riebli (25) and Valerio Grond (23) are also good for podium surprises.
Start of the season: November 24 in Ruka (Fin), sprint classic (women and men)
Home Events: January 3 and 4 in Davos (as part of the Tour de Ski) and from January 26 to 28 in Goms USA
Cheerfulness factor: ***
biathlon
The biggest question: Can Niklas Hartweg (23) and Sebastian Stalder (25) confirm their strong seasons? Both want to be podium candidates this winter. Preferably at the home World Cup premiere in Lenzerheide GR – and of course at the World Cup in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic, February 7 to 18). The two shooting stars aim to make further progress in running and are already world leaders in shooting.
Start of the season: November 25 in Östersund (Sd), single mixed and mixed relay
Home event: December 14 to 17 in Lenzerheide GR
Cheerfulness factor: ***
Ski jumping
The new head coach Rune Velta (34) brings a breath of fresh air to the team, which includes Olympic hero Simon Ammann (42). Sports director is Gregor Deschwanden (32), who was the best Swiss during the past, complicated winter without any highlights. He dreams of the first podium. The big question: will Velta get Killian Peier (28) flying again? Dominik Peter (22) is not there at all, he is taking a year-long break to get his eating habits back in order.
Start of the season: November 25 and 26 in Ruka (Fin)
Home Event: December 15 to 17 in Engelberg OW
Cheerfulness factor: **
To curl
Our two top teams are currently in action at the European Championships in Scotland. Both the women’s team led by Skip Silvana Tirinzoni (44) and the men’s team led by Skip Yannick Schwaller (28) are major medal candidates. The same goes for the World Cup, a home event for men. The women, in turn, will travel to the World Championships in Canada in March as winners of the last four events.
Home Event: Men’s World Cup in Schaffhausen (March 30 to April 7)
Cheerfulness factor: ***
Alpine snowboarding
At the World Championships in Georgia they were the dream couple par excellence: Ladina Jenny (30) and Dario Caviezel (28) both won silver in the parallel slalom and the parallel giant slalom. The two will be reliable at the World Cup – just like Julie Zogg (31). Last year, the woman from Eastern Switzerland not only won the large crystal ball, but also the world title in parallel slalom.
Start of the season: December 14, Carezza (It)
Home Events: December 23, Davos GR and January 13, Scuol GR
Cheerfulness factor: ***
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Freestyle skiing
The World Cup opener in Chur literally did not take place: the rain thwarted the plans of the freeskiers. Because the runs from qualifying counted, Mathilde Gremaud (23) celebrated her first victory of the season, Sarah Höfflin (32) joined her on the podium in third place. Andri Ragettli (25), a resident of Graubünden, came away empty-handed, something he certainly doesn’t want to let go of for a long time. Because there is no World Cup this year, the X-Games in January in Aspen (USA) are the highlight of the season. Olympic champion Gremaud has already received an invitation.
Next event: November 25 in Stubai (Austria, Slopestyle)
Home Events: January 20, Laax GR and March 24, Silvaplana GR
Cheerfulness factor: ****
Freestyle snowboarding
The X Games are also the highlight of the season for snowboarders. Olympic bronze winner Jan Scherrer (29) has been invited to the big event for the third time. Together with Pat Burgener (29) and Nicolas Huber (28), he is one of the veterans of the team. But the young team with Moritz Boll (23) from Graubünden and Nick Pünter (21) from Zurich also has podium potential.
Next event: December 9 in Secret Garden (China, halfpipe)
Home Events: January 20, Laax GR and March 23, Silvaplana GR
Cheerfulness factor: ***
Ski cross
Switzerland is actually one of the absolute top countries. But three ACL tears in three athletes last winter set the team back. The two team leaders Ryan Regez (30) and Alex Fiva (37) are back on skis after almost a year of rehabilitation, but it remains to be seen whether the two can immediately be at the top again. As in previous seasons, the women’s hopes are pinned on double Olympic bronze winner Fanny Smith.
Start of the season: December 7, Val Thorens (Friday)
Home Events: December 12, Arosa GR; January 28, St. Moritz GR and March 16, Veysonnaz VS
Cheerfulness factor: ***
Snowboard cross
With the retirement of two-time Olympian Lara Casanova (26) in the spring, Kalle Koblet (25) now acts as the new sports director. Last year he shone with a World Cup victory in the Sierra Nevada and three other top ten placings. Sophie Hediger (24) and Aline Albrecht (22) also both have the potential to achieve a podium finish. They proved this last winter with several top ten placements at the World Cup.
Start of the season: December 2, Les deux Alpes (Friday)
Home Event: January 26, St. Moritz GR
Cheerfulness factor: **
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Aerials (ski acrobatics)
The Swiss men are a force. Noe Roth (22) enters the winter as the current overall World Cup winner and world champion. Pirmin Werner (23) is the overall winner of the Summer GP and won the World Cup opener a year ago.
Start of the season: December 3 in Ruka (Fin)
Home event: 15th/16th March in Airolo (European Cup)
Cheerfulness factor: ****
bob
The start in China was successful and Michael Vogt (25) took third place in the pair. But for the women, the season doesn’t start until December because not enough female pilots were registered. After the resignation of Martina Fontanive (37), only one Swiss woman remains, Melanie Hasler (25), who also has to do without pusher Nadja Pasternack (27) due to a baby break. For men, Swiss Sliding is wider. Behind sports director Vogt, Simon Friedli (32) and Cédric Follador (28) have added new pushers and had the upper hand in the selection. The European Championships are integrated into the World Cup competitions in Innsbruck and Sigulda. The World Championships will take place from February 22 to March 3 in Winterberg (De).
Next race: December 9 in La Plagne (Friday)
Home Event: January 13 and 14 in St. Moritz GR
Cheerfulness factor: ***
Tobogganing
Natalie Maag (25) is a Swiss individual fighter at the World Championship. The Zurich resident’s goal is clear: after last winter’s rise, she wants to establish herself among the top ten in the world.
Start of the season: December 8 and 9 in Lake Placid (USA)
Home Event: –
Cheerfulness factor: **
skeleton
There used to be Olympic medals, but now vice world champion Marina Gilardoni, as the new sports director, must organize the reconstruction of her former division. Vinzenz Buff (22), Livio Summermatter (21), Sara Schmied (18) and Julia Simmchen (21) will all make their World Cup debuts this winter after moving from Germany.
Next race: December 8 in La Plagne (Friday)
Home event: January 12 in St. Moritz GR
Cheerfulness factor: *
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To skate
Livio Wenger (30) is world-class in the mass start, as he proved at the start in Japan despite breaking his collarbone during summer training. The Central Swiss missed the victory by millimeters and finished third. The Swiss figurehead is focusing on the World Cup this winter. And he has big plans in Calgary: “I’m now at a point where I can say: I always want to be at the front and even dominate a race. Gold, silver, bronze – these must be the goals now.”
Next race: December 1 to 3 in Stavanger (No)
Home event: –
Cheerfulness factor: ***
Short track
Despite new efforts, Switzerland is an exotic country, only Thibault Métraux (21) is participating in the World Cup. The start was in October in Montreal and the World Cup will take place in Rotterdam in March.
Next race: December 8 to 10 in Beijing
Home event: –
Cheerfulness factor: *
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I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.