Probably the last chance for a Swiss cross-country medal is in the team sprint on Wednesday. Somewhat surprisingly, Nadja Kälin is to ensure that Nadine Fähndrich takes over in a good position.
18.02.2026, 09:00
SDA
It was probably not an easy decision - and one with consequences that caused a bit of unrest. It is Nadja Kälin, and not Anja Weber, who is supposed to maintain contact with the top in the team sprint to give Nadine Fähndrich the chance of a podium finish in the final relay.
The disappointment of the Zurich Oberlander, for whom the Olympic Games are over, is obviously deep-seated. "Very disappointed" writes Weber on Instagram. "I have just been informed that I have not been nominated for the team sprint. Without convincing and transparent arguments. The way the whole thing went down is neither fair nor acceptable." The frustration is understandable. In recent years and following the retirement of Laurien van der Graaff, the 24-year-old has been Fähndrich's standard partner, finishing on the podium with her twice in the World Cup and taking bronze at the World Championships a year ago.
Form curve in Kälin's favor
Kälin, on the other hand, only competed in a team sprint at the highest level for the first time three and a half weeks ago in Goms, where she finished 6th with Alina Meier. For the coaches, however, the form curve speaks in favor of the 24-year-old from the Engadine. She impressed in Val di Fiemme, above all with 4th place in the skiathlon, but also over 10 km (14th) and in the relay. Weber, on the other hand, had decided not to take part in the 10 km skating race in order to save herself for the team sprint.
Now the responsibility lies with Nadja Kälin to put Fähndrich in a position to fight for the medals. "I always say I can run six seconds faster," said Fähndrich again this time. In the team sprint, two athletes take it in turns to complete three runs each, this time using the skating technique. The stronger sprinter runs the last lap. However, due to the three runs (and the qualification or semi-final), it is not just sprinting qualities that are required.
No Swiss women's medal yet
Fähndrich is aiming for a first Olympic medal after two World Championship medals - silver with van der Graaff in 2021 and bronze with Weber in 2025 - following disappointments in the individual sprint and relay. It would also be only the second ever for Switzerland in the women's event after the surprising relay bronze in 2002. It remains to be seen whether the Lucerne athlete's form is actually as good as she thought in the run-up to the event. In any case, the races so far have not gone according to plan.
In the men's race, the chances of a top place have dropped significantly. Although Valerio Grond and Janik Riebli already have three World Cup podium places to their name, Grond was ill in the run-up to the race and Riebli from Central Switzerland was ill last week. The finals start at 11.45 am.
