Riebli and Grond encourage each other: this bromance is dangerous for the world leaders

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Never lost a saying, always with a mischievous smile on their lips: Valerio Grond (23) and Janik Riebli (25) are known in the cross-country skiing scene not only for their ambition, but also for their “laid-back to nature” , confirms SRF expert Dario Cologna (37). He used to be that type himself – and ‘actually did quite well’. He says, who achieved four Olympic victories. But then Cologna becomes more serious again: “Nothing works without hard work. The most important thing is the balance.”

How well Davoser Grond and Giswil Riebli have worked on themselves is evident from their progress over the past season and a half. Last year the duo reached the World Cup podium together in Livigno (Italy) with a third place in the team sprint. The day before, Rieli sprinted individually to the same place.

This season the omens were not ideal for either due to illness-related absences in the preparation. With fifth place in Oberhof, Grond recently came close to his debut individual podium. While Riebli was especially strong in Davos (eleventh), but then had bad luck with a crash.

Now, at the home World Cup in Ulrichen, the podium knot will finally burst for both Swiss ski stars this season. A common exploit? Not excluded, especially since the duo “practically does everything together” off the course, as Riebli says laughing: “I have rarely met someone who looks so much like me.”

Real? For Blick, Grond and Riebli say where there may still be differences between them in their bromance:

Watch: Who wins at arm wrestling?
Riebli: I! (Laughs)
Background: I think I have to agree. It’s Janik. He will probably win with his pawn forearms.

Who is the bigger party king?
Background: That’s me, I would say. Once I find the motivation, I can go for it.
Riebli: But you also have to say here: we are both doing very poorly at the moment. We have just been told by colleagues that we really have to hit the road again. But I think if we have fun, we’ll both be fine.

Who has the shorter fuse?
Riebli: Ugh, that’s the big question for us. I say clearly: Valerio. But he probably says it’s me…
Background: Precisely. When we have discussions, Janik gets upset more easily.

Who is better received by women?
Background: Janik! (Laughs)
Riebli: No. Clear thing. With Valerio Grond and Roman Schaad we have two very nice ones in our team. No matter how many cows I can milk, I’m at a clear disadvantage. Besides, Valerio and I were taken anyway.
Background: You’re right: Roman Schaad is the only correct answer.

Who is the most punctual and neat?
Riebli: Valerio is certainly more precise and neater. And also the neater. But how more punctual?
Background: I am too. Neither of us are particularly unpunctual. And when it comes to keeping things tidy, I certainly am! (smiles)

Source : Blick