The later Olympic champion Thomas Wassberg was the winner of the juniors at the first edition of the International Cross-Country Days in Davos on December 22, 1974
Image: Keystone
Dario Cologna (right) stood on the podium five times in Davos, but never managed to win
Image: Keystone
So far the only male Swiss winner in Davos: Toni Livers (left) celebrated his only World Cup victory in the 15 km skating event in February 2007
Image: Keystone
In December 2022, the sun shone brightly for Nadine Fähndrich in Davos. The Lucerne native triumphed in the sprint
Image: Keystone
Could become the sole record winner with a seventh victory in Davos Therese Johaug
Image: Keystone
Without the innovative idea of snow farming, Davos Nordic might no longer exist today
Image: Keystone
The later Olympic champion Thomas Wassberg was the winner of the juniors at the first edition of the International Cross-Country Days in Davos on December 22, 1974
Image: Keystone
Dario Cologna (right) stood on the podium five times in Davos, but never managed to win
Image: Keystone
So far the only male Swiss winner in Davos: Toni Livers (left) celebrated his only World Cup victory in the 15 km skating event in February 2007
Image: Keystone
In December 2022, the sun shone brightly for Nadine Fähndrich in Davos. The Lucerne native triumphed in the sprint
Image: Keystone
Could become the sole record winner with a seventh victory in Davos Therese Johaug
Image: Keystone
Without the innovative idea of snow farming, Davos Nordic might no longer exist today
Image: Keystone
It was 50 years ago that Davos first appeared on the map of world cross-country skiing. The event is now called Davos Nordic and has established itself in the World Cup. A look back.
13.12.2024, 05:00
13.12.2024, 07:19
SDA
A SMALL BUT FINE BEGINNING
As early as the mid-1970s, Swiss and international cross-country skiers enjoyed training in the Landwasser Valley. This gave rise to the idea of a competition. The long-time race director Heini Conrad organizes a 15 km race and the International Cross-Country Days are born. The line-up on December 22, 1974 is top-class, with the first winner being the reigning 30 km world champion Thomas Magnusson and the later Olympic champion Thomas Wassberg coming out on top in the junior category. 8,000 spectators fill the cross-country ski trail at the premiere.
A FIXTURE IN THE WORLD CUP
In 1982, Davos is included in the FIS World Cup for the first time, which was officially introduced a year earlier. With a few exceptions, it is now one of the most important cross-country skiing races every year, and has been so since 2006. The date is usually mid-December as the first competition in Central Europe, with the occasional race also taking place in February. One year ago, it even stepped in once as the venue for the Tour de Ski.
SUPERSTAR
The rise of Dario Cologna has brought Switzerland, and therefore Davos Nordic, a cross-country skiing boom. The exceptional athlete from Val Müstair stands on the podium five times in his new home, but it is never enough to win. "Of course I would have loved to celebrate this home victory," says Cologna in an interview with "Südostschweiz" this week. But he loved the pressure to succeed and delivered with several podium finishes.
SERIES WINNERS
The most successful cross-country skiers in the world are also the most frequent winners in Davos. In the women's event, the Norwegians Marit Björgen and Therese Johaug have six victories each, and Johaug could now become the sole record holder after her comeback. In the men's event, the Norwegians Björn Dählie and Johannes Klaebo and the Italian Federico Pellegrino have four victories each. Sprint specialists Klaebo and Pellegrino will also be at the start this year.
SWISS WINNERS
What Dario Cologna narrowly failed to achieve, two other Swiss athletes did. Toni Livers from Graubünden celebrates his only victory in the 15 km skating World Cup in February 2007 - at the same time as Frenchman Vincent Vittoz. In December 2022, Nadine Fähndrich from Lucerne triumphs in the sprint.
SNOWFARMING
Without the innovative idea of snow farming, Davos Nordic might no longer exist today. In the past, tons of snow had to be carted into the Landwasser Valley by truck when winter was a long time coming. In 2015, snow farming, where the snow from the previous year is stored and covered, will be significantly expanded. This means that 70 to 80 percent of the "old" snow can be saved so that the preparation of the Flüela cross-country ski trail can begin early in the fall. This means that many teams can train and the staging of the World Cup is no longer in doubt.
A TEAM SPRINT FOR THE FIRST TIME
In February 2006, a World Cup sprint is held in Davos for the first time, and since December 2008 it has been part of the fixed program. This year, a team sprint will be added for the first time, with Davos Nordic now running from Friday to Sunday. Valerio Grond and Janik Riebli, who are also among the contenders for the final in the individual sprint, have high hopes, especially in the men's event. In the women's event, hopes are pinned on Nadine Fähndrich, who was still suffering from a cold last week. A total of nine women and fourteen men from Swiss-Ski will be competing over the three days.
