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Tag: Remo Fischer

  • Team 7: Switzerland

    Switzerland

    2009-2010 Nations Cup Ranking: 9th (2013 pts)

    2010-2011 Nations Cup Ranking: 7th (2821 pts)

    Men: 4th (2680 pts)

    Women: 17th (141 pts)

    2011/2012 World Cup Team Men

    Dario Cologna

    Curdin Perl

    Remo Fischer

    Toni Livers

    Christoph Eigenmann

    Martin Jaeger

    Joeri Kindschi

    Women

    Silvana Bucher

    Doris Trachsel

    Laurien Van der Graaff  

    What You May Have Missed Last Season

    While Cologna was deadly during the Tour de Ski, and won the World Cup Overall by 300 points for the second time in his career, the real story were his World Championships results – or lack thereof. Pre-Oslo 2011, he was still ‘Super’ Dario, consistently placing in the top 10 fifteen times in just about every format you could throw at him, culminating in his second career Tour de Ski victory. Sure, it looks like he finished the Tour odd on a low note because he finished 18th in the climb up Alpe Cermis, but the man with the massive black visor was so far ahead he put it in cruise control.

    At that point Cologna was the odds-on favorite to disrupt the ‘Hellner vs. Northug’ showdown that 2011 Oslo World Championships was billed as. But after a ninth place finish in the sprint, the Swiss supertstar dropped to 24th in the 30 k pursuit, a weak 25th in the 15 k classic, and finally 20th in the 50 k freestyle – far from where he was expected to finish, which could well have earned him a new nickname – ‘Disappearing’ Dario. To top it all off, he failed to be the world-beater the Swiss needed in their 4×10 relay in Oslo, finishing 6th during his leg on what was a highly touted relay squad.

    That relay team, and its three additional members (Curdin Perl, Remo Fischer, Toni Livers), were the pleasant surprise of the season for the Swiss. The supporting cast of characters around Cologna has improved massively over the last few years  – in our preview last seasonwe were excited about the group Cologna had supporting him, and in 2010-2011 they showed why.

    Dario Cologna (bib 1) leads the pursuit at World Championships before the wheels came off

    In the very first relay of the season they were outstanding, finishing fourth. Three weeks later in La Clusaz, France, the foursome cruised to a 30 second victory over an incredibly talented Russian team.

    Of the three non-Cologna Swiss primarily distance-skiing men, Perl was by far the best, finishing a career-high 14th spot in the World Cup Overall, and earning a his first (non-FIS recognized) World Cup medal by finishing third in the Final Climb during the Tour de Ski.

    The first relay was also incredibly confusing to those watching (scroll down to the comments) – a certain unnamed broadcasting crew mixed the Swiss and US racing suits up, so for quite a while it was unclear as to whether the it was the Swiss or the US was in fact in a medal winning position. All the more reason to go the Canadian route…

    The Swiss women have failed to find a star as the men have – between Silvana Bucher, Doris Trachsel, and Laurien Van der Graaff, they have some sprint talent, and the chance to squeeze into the top 30 on certain distance days, but nothing outstanding. That’s not to say they didn’t have success – Van der Graaff won the Red Bull NordicX event held in Davos last spring.

    What You Need To Know for This Season

    Despite Cologna’s setback during the latter half of last season, he’s still the greatest all-around skier on the World Cup today. Skate, classic, sprint, or distance, Cologna is the man to beat. World Championships aside, he rarely seems to have an off day, as is evidenced by his three podium finishes in his three Tour de Ski attempts. At 25, Cologna has plenty of career left, and is aiming for another top finish in the Tour.

    Judging by their websites, blogs, videos, and photos, it seems like the Swiss men have the most fun of any World Cup team on the circuit. Except for Remo Fischer, who just seems to bike around in Slovenian racing-suit inspired clothing. Curdin Perl especially active – he sells personally branded sweet drink belts , climbed the Matterhorn this summer, and isn’t going to be quitting skiing for a snowboarding career. Also, last year we reported that Cologna had over 6,000 fans on Facebook – in a year he’s doubled that to almost 13,000.

    With Cologna and the other male success on the Tour de Ski, the Swiss have been chasing their own stage to cheer on their athletes. While the World Cup stop in Cologna’s home-town of Davos has been a consistent lock on the World Cup, the Swiss are hungry for more World Cup action, and it looks like they’re going to get it!

    Who You Should Watch

    It has to be 24 year old Martin Jaeger, who came out of nowhere to qualify third during the sprint at World Championships. The freestyle-sprint specialist started just four World Cup races last year, and after qualifying third in Rybinsk, ended his day fourth after Russian Alexei Petukhov put on a clinic in the final. While that may seem like a flash in the pan to some, when you have the legendary Tor Arne Hetland as your coach, there is some serious potential for growth.

  • Fischer Leads Swiss to Historic Relay Win

    Remo Fischer used a strong attack late in the third leg of the men’s 4x10km relay in La Clusaz, France, to open up a gap on Russian Petr Sedov, and set up the first World Cup relay win for the Swiss men.

    Fischer’s move rested on the foundation built by teammate Dario Cologna. The former World Cup overall champion teamed with Alexander Legkov (RUS), the current World Cup leader, to break apart the usual early pack on the second classic leg.

    The duo opened an impressive 35-second gap on Lukas Bauer and the third place Czechs, while Norway sat in 4th at the halfway point +46.7.

    “It is an amazing day,” said Fischer following the race. “At the moment it is hard to believe.”

    Sweden, one of the pre-race favorites, appeared out of contention after Daniel Rickardsson struggled on the second leg, dropping the team 1:20 behind.

    Fisher and Sedov grew the lead over the course of the first skate leg before the Swiss attacked during the last 2.5 kilometers.

    “My legs were a bit stiff [when Fischer attacked],” Sedov said. “For sure I was at first a bit sad but second place is not bad.”

    Fischer came into the final exchange 11 seconds ahead of the Russian and it was all up to Curdin Perl.

    Perl skied an excellent race in Saturday’s 30km mass start, placing 7th for one of the top World Cup finishes of his lengthy career.

    But he matched up against Maxim Vylegzhanin, who not only won the 30km, he did so by besting none other than Petter Northug.

    Perl was up for the task, however, not giving an inch, and slowly widened the gap. Over the last five kilometers, Vylegzhanin looked the stronger skier, but couldn’t gain a second.

    With plenty of time to take a Swiss flag from the crowd, Perl cruised down the finish stretch into the arms of his waiting teammates.

    Vylegzhanin crossed 30 seconds back for second, while an epic battle raged behind for the final podium spot.

    Martin Koukal bombed out for the Czechs, over two minutes of the pace on the fourth leg, bringing the team home in 7th.

    That left Norway, Finland and Sweden to fight for third.

    Sweden was back in the race thanks to an impressive third leg from Anders Soedergren, who is clearly skiing well after a 6th in Saturday’s 30k.

    Soedergrn posted the fastest time on the leg and closed the gap on Norway and Finland to nine seconds.

    Hellner took over, chasing Matti Heikkinen (FIN) and Northug, but was unable to make up ground over the first portion of his race, but finally gained contact.

    As the skiers entered the final 2.5km lap, the trio of chasers had closed on Vylegzhanin, but would not be able to challenge for second.

    Northug showed little inclination to lead, and Heikkinen was left to push the pace. And push he did, attacking hard on several occasions. With just three career appearances in World Cup sprint heats, Heikkinen must have know he had to shake Northug before the homestretch.

    But Northug would not go away, and as expected, he accelerated into the stadium blowing by Heikkinen.

    Hellner crossed right on the Finn’s heels, but never looked to have enough left to challenge in the sprint.

    Canada finished 9th, with Alex Harvey winning a photo finish over Norway II. Devon Kershaw had an excellent day, turning in the third fastest time on the second leg, while Ivan Babikov was 6th continuing to move the team up during the skate.

    Young Len Valjas scrambled, digging a hole of 1:18 – not a poor performance for his first ever World Cup distance event.

    “Overall the team did a pretty good job today,” Canadian head coach Justin Wadsworth told Own the Podium. “Lenny hasn’t had much World Cup experience but did a great job leading the way and the rest of the guys were solid.”

    The United States did not enter a team.

    Men’s 4x10km Relay – Complete Results