Engelberg's Lena Häcki-Gross is getting into shape for the Winter Games in Italy. She finishes 5th in the 12.5 km biathlon race and just misses the podium by 13.5 seconds.
23.01.2026, 19:38
23.01.2026, 19:58
SDA
Lena Häcki-Gross even had to fear for her place in the Olympic selection. Before her exploit in the Czech Republic, she had never finished in the top 30 in an individual race this season. At the end of last season, on March 22 at Holmenkollen, Häcki-Gross finished third on the World Cup podium for the last time.
Häcki-Gross (29) has won two World Cup races so far in her career: In January 2024 in Antholz and in March 2024 in Oslo. She has also finished on the podium four other times in individual races.
The Swiss women's team, led by Häcki-Gross, delivered a magnificent team performance. Amy Baserga (12th), Lea Meier (14th) and Aita Gasparin (15th) also finished in the top 15, while Lydia Mettler also finished in the points (24th).
The Swiss women showed that the selection committee for the Winter Games was right to show goodwill towards them. The Swiss women now confirmed their selections retrospectively. Lea Meier delivered the best time in the cross-country ski run, but lagged behind Häcki-Gross and Baserga due to three shooting errors.
However, the fact that a few top skiers decided not to take part in the first race in Nove Mesto played into the hands of the Swiss.
French women dominated at the top of the rankings: Justine Braisaz-Bouchet took her first win of the season ahead of compatriot Lou Jeanmonnot. Franziska Preuss, last season's World Cup winner, made it onto the podium for the first time this season in third place.
