The end of the Cross-Country journey for Laurien van der Graaff
Apr 13, 2022·Cross-Country
The career of Swiss Laurien van der Graaff in the top ranks of the Cross-Country world started 12 seasons ago and was accompanied by achievements that set landmarks to the Swiss Cross-Country world.
With her maiden World Cup victory on 3rd December 2011, Laurien became the second Swiss female athlete ever, to reach the podium. 30 years had passed since the last podium spot of a Swiss women in the World Cup. Laurien paved way for the Swiss athletes and did not only take over the favourite role for top Sprint results, but also a leading role within the team.
The now 34 year-old has inspired many young girls in Switzerland to step into her footprints and follow the passion of Cross-Country skiing.
From the season 2016/17 on, Laurien got paired up with her team colleague Nadine Fähndrich and together they paced for the top spots in the TeamSprint competitions.
In the season 2017/18, Laurien raced to her maiden World Cup victory – in front of the home crowd at the opening Sprint of the Tour de Ski in Lenzerheie (SUI). In January, she doubled up on her victory with her win in the Seefeld Sprint. One month later, at the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Laurien finished the Sprint in 10th position and scratched on the podium by a 4th rank – together with Nadine Fähndrich.
Podium spots awaited the duo in the following season. In Planica, a third place rewarded the two for their strong performances and three weeks later, a second place was reached in Dresden’s Teamsprint. Almost one year later, it was also Dresden who ensured the team the first Teamsprint victory.
On the 7th February 2021, Laurien was again part of another historic Swiss success story, as she finished third in the Teamsprint with Fähndrich – and the men’s Sprint team with Jovian Hediger and Roman Furger claimed the second place a few minutes later.
But the crowining moment in Laurien’s career awaited still. In the title event of the World Championships in Oberstdorf, Laurien and Nadine impressively won the Silver medal – 34 years after the last success at World Championships of a Swiss.
Despite great successes and constant improvements, things did not always run smoothly for Laurien. Especially after the season 2018/19, she stated that the call to retire was there. Thanks to great results and a strong team spirit, Laurien stayed in the World Cup and celebrated more great successes – including that well deserved medal at a title event.
The decision to retire after this past Olympic season came slow but was well thought about.
The FIS Cross-Country team wishes Laurien all the very best and that great memories of the time with the Cross-Country family will accompany her in the future.
Click here for the FIS athletes profile of Laurien.
