FIS | Kaelin (SUI) stole Skiathlon show with sixth-place success: 'A big surprise for me'

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A '12 out of 10' performance

Behind the drama that unfolded in the Women's 20km Skiathlon at the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, on Sunday, Nadja Kaelin (SUI) made the "best race" of her career to claim a sensational sixth place.

The 23-year-old, who has struggled with illness for much of this season, won a sprint battle with Finland veteran Krista Parmakoski to reach her best result in an international competition.

Kaelin's last Skiathlon against the best in the world had come at the Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Lillehammer, Norway, in December. Then she finished in 33rd place, four and a half minute after winner Therese Johaug (NOR), and few fans at the packed Granaasen stadium would have expected her in the top-10. Neither would Kaelin herself.

It was a big surprise for me. I had one good race in the World Cup this season. The rest of the season wasn't really good, so I was hoping that it would work out decently at these World Championships, but sixth place is amazing.– Nadja Kaelin (SUI)

She added, "We had great skis, I'm super happy about them."

Kaelin, in bib No.27, became the best skier outside of the Swedish-Norwegian battle for medals in the front. Crossing the finish line 1:16.1 behind Andersson, she kept the entire overall World Cup top-four – Jessie Diggins (USA), Victoria Carl (GER), Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR) and Kerttu Niskanen (FIN) behind her, rating her own performance a "12 out of 10 maybe".

Her previously best result at the international stage had been her eighth place in the 20km Mass Start Free at the World Cup stage in Falun, Sweden, two weeks before – the last race before Trondheim 2025. Other than that, she had only been in an individual top-20 once this World Cup season, finishing 18th in the Les Rousses (FRA) 20km Mass Start Classic in January.

For the skier from St Moritz in Southeastern Switzerland, Sunday's effort was undoubtedly the highlight of her career so far.

Much of this season was marred by illness for Kaelin, making her success all the more surprising.

Her earlier results had placed doubts on her ability to perform at this level, but her determination and perseverance paid off during the race.

Whether she will continue to improve as the competition continues remains to be seen, but the joy of reaching this benchmark at the World Championships will undoubtedly propel her performance going forward.

Help from Alpine skiing background

Growing up in the ski resort of St Moritz, Kaelin thinks that her background in the slopes could have helped her to the career-best result.

"I originally started with Alpine skiing, which is also pretty big in Engadin. Then my parents took me to Cross-Country and I was like 'I like this one better', so I started with Cross-Country skiing," she said.

"People always say that I'm good in the downhill so maybe it suits me that I did Alpine skiing when I was young. I like downhills and curves, maybe that comes from Alpine skiing.– Nadja Kaelin (SUI)".

Kaelin made her World Cup debut in her new hometown Davos (SUI), in December 2021, finishing 69th in the 10km Interval Start Free. Her best season in the overall World Cup standings came last year, when she was No.47.

Conclusion

After a well-needed rest day on Monday, the World Championships continue with the 10km Interval Start Classic on Tuesday. Kaelin hopes to maintain her momentum in the upcoming events, setting her sights on future races and the potential to achieve more extraordinary results in her skiing career.