Nadine Faehndrich, Switzerland's most successful cross-country skier, announced her retirement after the current season. The 30-year-old cited gratitude for turning her hobby into a profession following an Olympic silver medal. She aims to end her career with a strong performance in the sprint standings.
Late on Wednesday, Swiss cross-country skier Nadine Faehndrich revealed her decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2026 winter season, as stated in a Swiss-Ski press release. At age 30, Faehndrich from the Horw ski club has competed in 11 World Cup seasons, amassing over 200 starts.
Her career highlights include three world championship medals and one Olympic medal. Two weeks prior, she secured silver in the team sprint at the Milan-Cortina Olympics alongside Nadja Kälin, fulfilling a long-held dream. "A medal at the Olympic Games has always been a dream of mine," she said. Other accolades feature silver in the team sprint at the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf with Laurien van der Graaff and bronze in the same event at the 2025 Trondheim Championships with Anja Weber.
Faehndrich debuted in the World Cup in December 2015, achieving her first podium in a 10km classic race in Cogne, Italy, three seasons later. Her inaugural victory came in the skating sprint in Dresden, Germany, the following year. She has earned 25 to 26 World Cup podium finishes, including six to seven wins, with eight podiums on home soil, such as back-to-back triumphs in December 2022. As the third Swiss skier to claim a World Cup title, she follows Laurien van der Graaff and Evi Kratzer.
Currently second in the sprint overall standings, Faehndrich targets the small crystal globe for the season. Her final competition will be at the Swiss Championships in Les Diablerets at the end of March. "To have been able to turn my hobby into my profession is an immense privilege. I’m extremely grateful for all the years I’ve been able to work on my skills and improve with my team," she reflected.
