Telemark World Championships wrap up in Murren

The battle for the Telemark World Champion medals took place in Mürren (SUI, 20-26/03/2022). Titans Races of one day arbitrated by rock titans as Eiger (3967m) and Jungfrau (4158m). A picturesque and impressive mountainous theatre setting with a nature scene that could have summed up these championships. Indeed every early mornings on top of Winteregg skilift we were lucky enough to witness the start of the black grouse (Tetrao Tetrix L.) majestic parades on their lek. The alpine emblematic birds were there to start their annual territorial dance and fight for the species survival. From time to time the old dominants have to let the place to the youngsters…the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Every day at 8 a.m. the singing birds discreetly disappeared to make room to our athletes. Emblematic birds letting place to iconic characters for their final parade into the arena of telemark racing.

In Mürren a page has been turned in telemark history with 8 retirements:
- Amélie Wenger-Reymond, Béatrice Zimmermann, Bastien Dayer and Gaëtan Procureur from Switzerland,
- Kathrin Reischmann and Christoph Frank from Germany,
- Coaches Per Olav Tangen from Norway and Ruedi Weber from Switzerland.

All the athletes were at the pinnacle of emotions during the week and performances were at the rendez-vous. « Go big or go home » was certainly the motto of many teams. Especially when it was about the jump section. It was the most demanding and technical « big air » jump of the season.

WYSS AND NABOT WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE CLASSIC
Martina Wyss, the women’s Classic Globe winner in Oberjoch, won the Gold at home and were crowned World Champion in front of her fan club. Nothing better for the Swiss to start these championships. Amélie Wenger-Reynond (SUI) and Jasmin Taylor (GBR) won respectively Silver and Bronze followed by Béatrice Zimnermann (SUI, 4th) and Argeline Tan-Bouquet (FRA, 5th). Taylor did her first Classic podium of the season after having failed most of the Classic races of the season. Looks like the British lady was back at her expected level of skiing here in Mürren.

Martina Wyss said: « My week was a up and down... started with the classic for which I was super nervous before the race. But I managed to win and with that I already had everything I could wished for this season. »

For men Elie Nabot (FRA, Gold) took his revenge on Bastien Dayer (SUI, Silver). Dayer, the almost retired Swiss Rock, probably signed the smallest timed gap in Classic history this day (+0,09 from Nabot). Loeken (NOR) won Bronze. Collberg (SWE) finished fourth and Alveberg (NOR) fifth. No double win for the Swiss team. Nabot, the eternal second for the Globe fight in Oberjoch, deserved his World Champion title for what he accomplished all along the season and for having pushed Dayer to it limits.

Antoine Bouvier (French team coach) said: « These world championships in Murren have been very intense as the rest of the season ! First day and first ever world champ classic gold medal for a french athlete : Elie Nabot, after 4 times 2nd place in the globes ranking, got this well deserved gold medal, just few hundreds in front of Bastien Dayer. I was so happy for him, he is a very strong athlete and a very nice person. It was quite a relief for me and the team to start with this gold medal. »

Bastien Dayer said: « The end of the world cup was very emotional for me. I had to give it my all to win the overall and Elie and Trym didn't make it easy for me. I am happy to have won the overall World Cup for the third time in a row, it's a pride and the best way to retire from sport...The world championships started with a great fight with Elie on the classic. It was hard to be 2nd by 9 hundredths, but after all the 2nd places he has collected this season, he fully deserved his World Championship title! »

The meticulous organisation in Mürren also allowed to make happen the Classic Junior World Championships cancelled in Krvavec due to bad weather conditions. For women, Maria Heggheim Berge (NOR) won Gold followed by Kaja Husvik (NOR, Silver) and Camille Bourbon (FRA, Bronze). For men, Yoann Rostolan (FRA) won followed by Alexi Page (FRA, Silver) and Melvyn Rey (FRA, Bronze). Historic men’s triple for the juniors French.

WENGER-REYMOND AND LOEKEN WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE SPRINT
For women, Amélie Wenger-Reymond (SUI) won the Sprint and therefore won her 17th World Champion Gold medal of her career. Martina Wyss (SUI) took Silver and Goril Strom Eriksen (NOR) the Bronze medal. Laly Chaucheprat (FRA) finished fourth and Jasmin Taylor fifth.

Martina Wyss said: «Sprint was super tight and mirrored the whole season between Amélie and I. A well deserved fight as well for Amélie. »

Argeline Tan-Bouquet (FRA), one of the favorite for a top 3 podium, crashed hard after the jump landing and broke her ACL and already announced that she will be back next year and maybe for her last season. The jump was very selective for many athletes. They had to push their limits to reach the line. For men, Kishu Anada (JPN, 24th) reached the sky and Mürren’s hall of fame for the massive jump he sent. Dayer (SUI) went to the fault at the jump landing and fell…but the King managed to get up while sliding between the gates and to finish the first run. Dayer didn’t attempt the second run, a wise decision for our veteran who had nothing left to prove.

When it’s about ACL injury Trym Nygaard Loeken (NOR) knows what it costs. Indeed, Loeken broke his ACL in Mürren one year ago at the jump landing during a Sprint World Cup. The viking, who awakened in Krvavec with his first Sprint World Cup win of the season, was the fastest and did any mistakes while facing with the the spectre of injury. Mental and legs of steel for our new Sprint World Champion. Nicolas Michel (SUI) took the Silver medal and Alexis Page (FRA) the Bronze one. Théo Sillon (FRA) finished fourth and Olle Collberg (SWE) fifth.

Antoine Bouvier said: «On the classic sprint our rookie Alexis Page, 19 years old, got the bronze medal. This talented athlete will be one to follow in the next few years for sure ! Theo Sillon and Laly Chaucheprat finished at a frustrating 4th place, although they were in a very good shape on this season end... The bad news of the day was the knee injury of Argeline Tan Bouquet, that felt on the jump landing on the first run. Wish her all the best to come back stronger next year.»

ZIMMERMANN AND LOEKEN WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE PARALLEL SPRINT
The race of every possible scenarii and the unexpected delivered an apotheosis to the Parallel Sprint season. For the win it was still necessary to play the fine strategists for the jump and the nordic section.

Antoine Bouvier said: "Parallel sprint has been exciting as usual ! As a coach, you are in the race almost as much as the athletes, trying to push them in the skating section, giving them strategy advices on the radio."

For women, Béatrice Zimmermann (SUI) who has been discreet but always smiling all along the season won the Gold medal for her last race with a tough final battle with Jasmin Taylor (Silver). Emma Araldsen (NOR) won the Bronze.

Béatrice Zimmermann said: « Being on Telemark skis means for me a lot! To be able do the sport, being outside, having nice and fair fights and meeting a lot of people around the world make me smile. And I’m thanks full for every day I spend for telemark skiing. »

Zimmermann said: « The world champs was a week I will never forget. For me a circle is closing now. In 2016 I won my first world cup in Mürren and now my career ends with a world championship title here! I mean thats a dream coming true. The whole week was full with of emotions. On Wednesday the IOC and my team surprised us with a helicopter flight around the incredible mountains around Mürren. For me it was my first heli flight and the first time I discovered the Jungfraujoch mountain. Again a big thanks to everyone who made this possible.»

But the disappointment was also there for the Swiss. Wyss was almost expected to reach the Parallel Sprint podium at home but did a huge mistake in the nordic section by taking the wrong corridor and consequently being disqualified. Same for our veteran Dayer…the Swiss rock was hit by a huge pain in his back which forced him to fall to the ground during his first battle. It was sad to see him leaving the arena in this way but the verdict was clear after examination: rupture of one vertebra disc enveloppe.

Bastien Dayer said: « I was completely relaxed after this Classic medal and unfortunately for my body too. I had major back problems which did not improve and I ended up in hospital to have an injection. No more hope of running at home for the Swiss championships (31/03-1/04). It was hard not to race at home, but being part of the organizing committee, I had plenty to do without being on skis.

This event was a great farewell party on as well as an incredible event with U11s on fire as well as newly promoted world champions! Congratulations also to Trym for his two titles in Sprint and Parallel, impressive at the end of the season. »

When it’s about ending your career you want to do it till the end for you, your team and family. It was not the farewell race that Dayer would have expected. But sometimes the end can be a little bit more rough in its way as for Dayer or for the Alpine skiing legend Ted Ligety (USA) affected by a sciatica and forced to end his career six days before his planned farewell giant slalom at the world championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA, 2021). Common points between these two happy and proud fathers…their unexpected farewell does not detract from their outstanding career.

Zimmermann said: « After my title on Thursday we had a nice team dinner where we were celebrating. Unfortunately Bastien couldn't join it. But I’m sure we will celebrate with him again in Thyon and say again thanks to him for everything. With everything I mean: he is a great sportsman, for me a true champion, team player and is always curious when we talk about the sport, technic and life. So thank you for being you Bastien! »

For men, Loeken imposed himself as the Parallel Sprint boss just one week after the Globe win. Alexi Mosset (SUI) reached for the first time of the season the podium and got Silver medal, Noé Claye (FRA) Silver.

Trym Nygaard Loeken said: « World Champs went way better than expected taking in mind the start of the season. Taking medals in every discipline, and for the first time in my career being a double world champ is a big thing. It’s hard to say what felt best, winning the sprint after tearing the ACL in the same race one year earlier, or stay the reigning world champion in parallel. Either of them are huge for me, and I can’t be anything else than happy with these World Champs and the season. »

Antoine Bouvier said: «In the quarter finals they were 3 womens and 2 mens for the team still on course... Unfortunately only Noé Claye stayed in the course, to grad a second bronze medal for the team. I was very satisfied to see Noé skied like hell after the first 2 days where he wasn't happy with his skiing.»

FRANCE, TEAM PARALLEL SPRINT WORLD CHAMPION
A lot of emotions for this last dance because it was the last one of manies as for the coaches Ruedi Weber (SUI) and Per Olav Tangen (NOR) who drew the last track of his career in the morning.

Trym Nygaard said: « It got quite emotional for me the last day when it got for real that Per Olav and all the athletes I’ve been racing with the last 10-12 years had their last race. We have known it the whole season, but we’ve had plenty of stuff to use our energy on before that. Per Olav has been a great support for the team and someone who is special to me after he started as a serviceman for us many years ago. A great guy with a big heart for telemark and skiing in general, we will miss him. »

When it’s about to select athletes for a team parallel sprint it can sometimes be difficult to accept to be only substitute as for the homie Martina Wyss for the Swiss Team A (Béatrice Zimmermann, Alexi Mosset and Nicolas Michel).

Martina Wyss said: « For the team parallel the coaches decided not to set me in the team.... that was disappointing and was hard to swallow…not be able to give another show to all my friends and the volunteers. But i guess that’s sport »

Coaches’choice are always done with reasons and substitutes are as important than the rest of the team. With two almost retired women racing in the Swiss Teams A and B (Zimmermann and Wenger-Reymond) the Swiss coach Ruedi Weber had probably in mind to be able to offer a memorable last podium to one of these two ladies. Team B (Wenger-Reymond, Mosset, Beney and Procureur as substitute) took the Silver medal offering a last podium to Wenger-Reymond. Gaëtan Procureur who also retires from racing was also proud to be on the podium. For Weber it rewards Procureur’s regularity between all along its career between the top 10 and top15 with a World Cup podium last year in Krvavec (3rd). And when it’s about the team Globes nothing is possible without all the athletes. A way for Weber to end his career by acknowledging the importance of his entire team.

Team Norway took the Bronze medal (Eriksen, Berge, Bjoernstad Konow, Alverberg, Loeken). Gold went to the French team (Carliez, Claye, Nabot and Chaucheprat).

Antoine Bouvier said: «And finally, we had the best happy end possible with the win on the team parallel for France. It was our goal, to be on the top of the podium. We beat the Norwegians in semi final and the Swiss in the final.  Augustine, Noé et Elie made a great job ! In this individual sport, this collective victory belongs to the whole french team : athletes, coachs, volunteers, sponsors, etc…»

Augustine Carliez who started telemark racing three years ago can be proud to have been the last women racing against the legend Amélie Wenger-Reymond. 17 years of difference between them…a last symbol about the marks Wenger-Reymond but also Zimmermann, Dayer and Procureur will let behind them.

Carliez said: « Competing with Amelie is always something out of commun but competing with her for her last time ever race in work cup is even more extraordinary. Her career speaks by its own. Amelie is more than an athlete who inspires me, she is a legend. You can’t think of telemark without thinking of Amelie. When I started telemark couple of years ago, she was the girl to watch before making my run, all the young athletes want to ski like her. During the team event in finale against Switzerland, I didn’t know I was against Amelie before coming at the top of the slope, watching her warming up just next to me. It was my 3rd run, I knew the GS, the jump and the skating, I had confidence, trying to think about my teammates tips. I knew I had to ski in my top top level to have a little chance to eventually beat her. All I wanted was to take pleasure and to enjoy the chance that Antoine Bouvier has given me to ski a final in world championships. Amelie, Big up for your career, your determination, your longevity and for the person that you are. You are an exemple for all the telemark skiers and beyond. Now I can say that I raced against the GREAT Amelie Wenger Reymond for her last race, and it will always mean something to me. THANK YOU ! »

This last chapter of the season was just incredible and unforgettable in many ways. Switzerland, Norway and France were the winners throughout the week. But all teams and athletes are winners in the end for what they have accomplished with elegance and with the most beautiful state of mind as for Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italia, Japan, USA, Slovenia, Sweden….

Sam Garber (USA) said: « My first FIS Telemark World Championships was an unbelievable experience, and its no question that being in Mürren - the most beautiful place I have ever been - played a significant role in that. It was great to be able to reconnect with many old friends and meet new ones. I feel honored to have raced this week with my longtime American teammate Jeffrey Gay in his last World Championships, along with Amélie Wnger-Reymond, Béatrice Zimmermann, Kathrin Reischmann, Bastien Dayer, Gaëtan Procureur, and Christoph Frank. All of these remarkable athletes were present for my first World Cup starts back in 2018. It was even more special to be there with Per Olav and Ruedi for their last races as well. The competition and community that the best telemark athletes in the world brought to Mürren is exactly the motivation all of us need, in order to put in the hard work that is required of us to come back stronger next season! Thanks to GB coach Seb for bringing this international team together! »

Bouvier said: « It was also the last race for Amélie and Bastien : I started telemark on the world cup with Bastien around 2004 and Amelie few years later. It means almost 20 years of telemark world cup! That's a big part of their life. Amélie was full of emotions on her last run against Augustine. Her career is simply amazing. She also did a lot with Bastien to promote telemark to the youngest. But even if they stop telemark racing they won't ever quite the telemark family! These are connections and souvenirs for life ! »

For our newly retired (Frank, Dayer, Olav Tangen, Procureur,  Reischmann, Weber,Wenger-Reymond, Zimmermann) in your own way, with your own means and above all your own personalities, you have all left your mark on the Telemark skiing landscape. We will continue to perpetuate your heritage. Telemark draws its DNA from the past but always looks to the future with unforgettable memories for sure.

Trym Nygaard Loeken said: « Legends in the sport retires. Bea, Gaëtan, Amélie the GOAT and Bastien who has been a role model for me since I’ve started racing, will surely leave a big hole in telemark, but I’m sure it wasn’t the last time we saw them. »

We thanks all the athletes, organizers and volunteers for the success of these World Champs. You can all be proud!

Bastien Dayer said: « A lot of emotions, but a great serenity for the future of telemark because the spirit during these last races was worthy of the FREE HEEL spirit! I would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to all the people who have made these 19 years of World Cups unforgettable in my eyes. »

Text: Sam Decout