Runs with the number 13 to her greatest success to date: Nadja Kälin
Image: Keystone
Nadja Kälin in jubilant pose
Image: Keystone
The obligatory selfie: Nadja Kälin with her cell phone, Ebba Andersson and Heidi Weng
Image: Keystone
Runs with the number 13 to her greatest success to date: Nadja Kälin
Image: Keystone
Nadja Kälin in jubilant pose
Image: Keystone
The obligatory selfie: Nadja Kälin with her cell phone, Ebba Andersson and Heidi Weng
Image: Keystone
Starting number 13 is Nadja Kälin's lucky number. Frida Karlsson is missing, the battle for bronze is on. The 24-year-old strikes again in the 50 km classic after winning silver in the team sprint.
22.02.2026, 16:10
SDA
What was meant to be an encore ends in a historic exploit in Val di Fiemme. "As a child, you dream of winning a medal. And when you grow up, you realize how far away that goal is," said Nadja Kälin from the Engadine into the microphone of the SRF reporter.
The race was tough right from the start. Ebba Andersson (gold) and Heidi Weng (silver) pushed the pace early on, but Kälin initially held back. It was not until halfway through the race that she appeared in the chasing group battling for bronze.
"I was really nervous because you never know how strong the others are," she said later. The pace was controllable in the second half, "which was fine with me". There was only one thought running through her head: "Take it easy, take it easy, take it easy. And then do it like Klaebo on the final climb." A charming reference to the dominator of the games and the art of biting at the right moment.
And yet she tried not to think about the medal, but to concentrate on her own performance. In fact, her finish seemed calculated. No rushed start, no trembling when turning the corner after the downhill. She kept to herself, not thinking about the precious metal, but about technique, rhythm and breathing.
At the finish line, her emotions broke through. She stood there and marveled at her own history. Last year, she had made a surge in performance, but the goal was still a long way off. "And now I'm going home with two medals. Unbelievable."
What was she originally aiming for? An Olympic diploma with a top 8 classification. Now she leaves Val di Fiemme with silver and bronze in her luggage. And the 13 shines like gold.
