Cross-country skiing and ski orienteering deliver exciting showdowns

At the Nordic Center in Goms, two events were in the spotlight today: the Cross-Country Skiing Team Sprint and the Ski-Orienteering Middle Distance. Despite the cloudy and windy weather conditions, the athletes pushed through. With one gold and one silver medal in cross-country skiing, the Swiss team further solidified its position in international military sports.

3/26/2025

Women's Team Sprint: Home Victory for Switzerland

In a strong field of competitors, the Swiss women’s team 1, consisting of Giuliana Werro and Nadja Kälin, delivered an outstanding performance. With consistent and fast lap times – particularly from Kälin, who finished her last lap in 3:33.66 minutes – the team clinched the gold medal with a total time of 22:04.21 minutes.

Italy secured second place with Erica Antoniazzi and Ilenia Defrancesco (+8.46 seconds), also showing impressive consistency, narrowly defeating France. The French team 1, consisting of Marion Buillet and Léna Quintin (+25.55 seconds), completed the podium.

Men’s Team Sprint: France Wins by a Fraction Ahead of Switzerland

In the men’s final, France 1 and Switzerland 1 raced in an exhilarating contest. After six laps, the teams were separated by just 0.82 seconds. The French duo of Thomas Chambellant and Tom Mancini crossed the finish line first in 18:43.60 minutes, narrowly beating Cyril Fähndrich and Janik Riebli from Switzerland, who secured the silver with 18:44.42 minutes.

Italy 1 claimed bronze, trailing the leaders by 3.43 seconds. Teams from Norway, Germany, and France 2 followed closely behind, all within 15 seconds of the winning time.

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Exciting Ski-Orienteering Duels: Victories for Bulgaria and Sweden

In the men’s middle-distance race, Stanimir Belomazhev from Bulgaria put in a strong performance, winning with a time of 39:50 minutes, just four seconds ahead of Sweden's Rasmus Wickbom. Frenchman Nils Gouy took third, 13 seconds behind. Swiss athletes Severin Müller and Lars Niklaus Beglinger finished 10th and 11th, respectively.

In the women’s event, Sweden’s Evelina Wickbom secured the win with a time of 40:01 minutes, closely followed by Bulgaria’s Antoniya Grigorova, who finished just 10 seconds behind. Estonia’s Doris Kudre claimed third place, finishing 2:14 minutes later.

The day was once again marked by sporting respect, camaraderie, and the unique atmosphere that only military world games can offer. A fitting highlight of the games, with more exciting competition days ahead.