Lena Häcki-Gross was 28 years old when she made her breakthrough to the top last winter with two victories in the World Cup. Now she is starting the season at the peak of her career with the World Championships in Lenzerheide.
Lena Häcki-Gross is brimming with self-confidence at the media event in Lenzerheide, looks as full of energy as ever and is looking forward to the world championships after months of training. "I've trained really well," she emphasizes. Minor aches and pains are not worth mentioning. "Everything is running smoothly, I'm very happy."
The victory after four clean shoots in the individual event in Antholz, first place at Holmenkollen in Oslo, the five podium places in total last winter including 6th place in the overall World Cup gave her additional motivation. "We only made small adjustments. It worked last season," says the athlete from Obwalden, summing up her summer training.
The change concerns form control. "We're trying to push back the performance curve slightly in cross-country skiing," she says. "We want to build up our form with the races and only reach our peak in February." The 2026 Olympic Games in Italy would also take place in the same time frame as the World Championships in Lenzerheide.
Meeting up and staying healthy
Lena Häcki-Gross is the number one hope for the home World Championships. Switzerland has been waiting for a medal since 1958, when the first event was held. The athlete, who grew up in Engelberg, is aware of this burden and is therefore trying not to put herself under any additional pressure. Her motto: "I want to remain realistic and not constantly get caught up in 'what if' thoughts." She formulates her own aspirations as follows: "Keep my hit rate high, never get sick, get through the winter consistently."
The topic of the home World Championships in Lenzerheide is also nothing new in Lena Häcki-Gross' mind. "The excitement has been there since the announcement," she emphasizes. And then there was the first home World Cup last December, where she was able to practise for the first time what it means to run in front of an audience that cheers you on by your first name at the side of the course. "Or in the stadium, the crowd reacts to your shooting rhythm. Then it's all the more important to stay focused," she says, describing one of the experiences from the main rehearsal.
As she says this, there is a lot of hustle and bustle in the background. The organizers want to have the temporary grandstands in place before the onset of winter. The finish stadium will be almost twice the size of the World Cup premiere in December 2023. 7500 fans can be accommodated in this area alone, plus VIP areas for 700 people. If the weather is right, up to 15,000 sports enthusiasts will gather on good days.
It all starts in Kontiolahti
But that's just it: Lenzerheide is still almost three months away. From this weekend, the first races will be held in Kontiolahti. "I want to get into the season with the first races and see where I stand". The aces from Norway, Sweden and France are likely to be one step ahead, as they will be up against strong internal competition in the battle for a World Championship ticket. Lena Häcki-Gross wants to stay calm. The final will be decided in February.
SDA
