The Sports Trophies were once again dominated by alpine skiing: Marco Odermatt was named Sportsman of the Year for the fourth time in a row, while Lara Gut-Behrami secured her third title overall.
Odermatt’s fourth consecutive victory is a landmark achievement at the Trophées du Sport, a streak that even record holder Roger Federer has not been able to match. However, Odermatt still has a long way to go to match Federer’s tally of seven awards. For the 27-year-old from Nidwalden, who beat swimmer Noè Ponti and athlete Simon Ehammer to claim first place, this was secondary.
The 2024 season was Odermatt’s most successful yet: he won the big overall World Cup globe and won small globes in giant slalom, super-G, and for the first time, downhill. He triumphed at the Lauberhorn in Wengen, where he not only won the downhill sprint, but also the race on the original track. “It’s almost impossible to repeat a season like that,” said Odermatt, who continues to set ambitious goals, such as winning the Kitzbühel downhill for the first time.
Just like Odermatt, Lara Gut-Behrami also won the World Cup overall – her second title after 2016. With 16 podiums, including eight victories in three disciplines, the Ticino athlete experienced her most successful winter to date . “It was an incredible year for me, and it was especially beautiful to experience it again with my family,” said the 30-year-old, who addressed Swiss sports fans via video after the World Cup race. World in Kranjska Gora, discussing challenges in sport. “After last season I was completely empty and wondered why I was doing this.” Therefore, the start of the new season was quite difficult, although she has since rediscovered her joy for the sport.
In her category, Gut-Behrami beat pole vaulter Angelica Moser and shooter Chiara Leone. With this third Sportswoman of the Year award after 2016 and 2023, she joins Lise-Marie Morerod, Simone Niggli and Ariella Kaeslin. Only Vreni Schneider was more successful with five titles.
It was a special evening for para-athlete Heinz Frei, who received the Honorary Award for his pioneering contributions. The 60-year-old was surprised and moved, as this prize was awarded for only the seventh time since 2001. Previous recipients include Roger Federer (2022), Adolf Ogi (2007), and Peter Sauber (2005). Frei, who has won 27 medals at the Paralympic Games during his career spanning more than 40 years and will compete in his final Para-Cycling World Championships in 2024, was truly struck by the unexpected recognition.
Catherine Debrunner was also delighted to receive her Paralympic Athlete of the Year award. The 29-year-old from Thurgau won the trophy thanks to outstanding performances at the Paralympic Games in Paris, where she won five gold medals and set four Paralympic records.
There was also an emotional moment for Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner, who were named Team of the Year. For the beach volleyball players, it was “the culmination of a great time together.” After nine years, which culminated with winning Olympic bronze in the summer, the duo will temporarily go their separate ways. Hüberli has found a new teammate in 19-year-old Leona Kernen, while Brunner is taking a (baby) break for now.
The men’s national ice hockey and football teams celebrated victories in other categories, despite being ranked behind Hüberli/Brunner. Patrick Fischer was named Coach of the Year, reflecting his latest triumph after winning silver at the Ice Hockey World Championship in 2018. Meanwhile, footballer Granit Xhaka was honored with the MVP award for his performances exceptional performances during the European Championships and at club level.
The title of most talented went to track and field athlete Lucia Acklin, an 18-year-old heptathlete from Aargau.
