The bitter cold of winter did not dampen the enthusiasm of athletes and spectators during the Swiss cross-country ski championships, organized for the first time at the Col du Jaun this weekend. The best cross-country skiers in the country competed on carefully prepared trails, the result of 40 to 50 hours of work in advance to provide optimal conditions.
Noémie Charrière shines in the sprint
On Saturday, the 1.4 km sprint captivated the approximately 300 spectators present. Fourth in qualifying, Charmeysanne Noémie Charrière, now based in Engadine, shone in the final, securing a solid 3rd place. Only Grisonne Alina Meier and Fabienne Alder, among the favorites, managed to beat her.
Antonin Savary in force in the classic 10 km
On Sunday, the classic 10 km race was particularly successful for one of the Friborg athletes present that day. Among the elite men, Antonin Savary took his revenge after a disappointment during the sprint, where he did not reach the podium. This time, he brilliantly climbed to 3rd place with a time of 25’44’9, behind Nicolas Wigger (25’07’9) and Niclas Steiger (25’33’2). Quickly installed in the leading group, the Gruérien managed his effort brilliantly. “After a month without competition, I didn’t expect much. But I knew I was getting back in shape and that I could aim for a podium […] Classical remains a style where I still need to progress,” he confided.
-Among the elite women, Alina Meier from Grisonne won in 30’21’1, followed by Ramona Schoepfer (30’25’9) and Anina Hutter (31’01’5). Noémie Charrière, after her sprint podium, finished in an honorable 16th place. “I prefer sprints, distances, I like it a little less. When I’m individual, I’m better able to get into my rhythm. There, it was a mass start and they started off very strong,” he confides -she with a smile.
A top organization
With 135 to 140 Swiss athletes registered each day and around twenty foreign participants, these first Swiss championships at the Col du Jaun kept all their promises. A success hailed by Jean-Philippe Scaiola, president of the organizing committee: “This level of competition required considerable work from us, with precise directives from SwissSki, in particular to approve a new course in compliance with national requirements.” Despite these challenges, the results remain positive: “We wanted to offer a quality event from this first edition, and I believe we have achieved our objective,” he concludes.
